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REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Two Locally Owned Grocery Stores Underway on West Side

By growthzone | February 23, 2022

This comes after decades of disinvestment. After decades of disinvestment, two new grocery stores are being built on Chicago’s West Side – something residents have long awaited as other grocery store chains close up shop.   The SBAC and our robust collation of partners are committed to revitalizing, empowering, and connecting local business districts across…

Revitalization in the News: Chicago Recovery Plan Funding Available!

By growthzone | February 7, 2022

There’s still funding bids available through the City of Chicago and the Chicago Recovery Plan. “The Chicago Recovery Plan invests over $1.2 billion in new and existing initiatives. Over the lifespan of the Chicago Recovery Plan, there will be frequent opportunities to partner with Chicago organizations and we look forward to these partnerships.”   The…

NRC Community Survey Has Been Extended!

By growthzone | January 28, 2022

Thriving commercial corridors and neighborhood business districts can support local communities across Chicago and Cook County.  However, many commercial corridors are struggling.  We are looking for your feedback and insight on how to revitalize and empower commercial corridors.  Please take a moment to fill out this short survey so we can better understand the needs…

SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS

By growthzone | January 17, 2022

SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS BY REDUCING COMMERCIAL VACANCIES Struggling neighborhood business districts are often plagued by vacant properties. These commercial vacancies impact local economies, foster criminal activity and devastate communities. Local governments can reduce the property taxes owed by commercial property owners when their properties, or a portion of those properties, are vacant. While most…

REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Illinois Announces $8.4 Million in Small Business Grants

By growthzone | January 11, 2022

“A strong pandemic economic recovery includes recognizing that some communities have long been denied their fair share of resources,” said Governor JB Pritzker. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced on Monday, January 10th that $8.4 million in new additional grants will be available to small businesses and commercial corridors. This is…

REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: New North Austin Community Center Moves Forward

By growthzone | December 21, 2021

“We saw kids were hopeless. We believe we will give kids the opportunity to find some hope…” The Chicago City Council has agreed to sell public land for one dollar and has provided approval for the development of the North Austin Community Center.   The $31 million project is being developed as a partnership between…

Chicago businesses are feeling the effects of supply-chain slowdowns

By growthzone | November 24, 2021

“Small businesses are just having a tremendously difficult time getting the supplies that they need to run their business, and, of course, this is even more concerning with the holiday season approaching,” said Elliot Richardson, president of the Small Business Advocacy Council in Chicago. He said the supply-chain problems are impacting all kinds of retailers.…

REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS : South Shore

By growthzone | November 18, 2021

REVITLIZATION IN THE NEWS Residents in the South Shore are taking revitalization into their own hands, revitalizing vacant spaces in their community.   Crain’s residential real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin talks with host Amy Guth about news from the local housing market, including neighbors taking a redevelopment project into their own hands and more.  …

Take the Community Survey!!

By growthzone | October 27, 2021

Click Here to take the Community Survey! Revitalize Local Businesses and Neighborhoods Thriving commercial corridors support local communities across Chicago and Cook County.  Prior to the pandemic, however, many corridors struggled.  As Chicago emerges from the pandemic and local communities confront a new economic landscape, a strong coalition of stakeholders is needed to advocate for…

BLOCK CITY CHICAGO REPORTS on Commercial Corridor Revitalization

By growthzone | October 4, 2021

BLOCK CITY CHICAGO REPORTS HYDE PARK, WOODLAWN, SOUTH SHORE Some Landlords Keep Their Storefronts Empty For Years – And Get Tax Breaks For It. Business Leaders Want To Change That Small business advocates want to limit the tax breaks property owners can get on vacant storefronts. On 79th Street, three in five storefronts were vacant…

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