City of Joliet

Economic Development Newsletter

LET'S GROW TOGETHER !

A Message from our Director

Let’s Grow Together! That’s our motto. If you’re a business, investor, entrepreneur you should know the City and our economic development partners (shown below) are here to work with you in developing and growing your business and investment in Joliet.

This newsletter will be published on a regular basis to connect you to valuable business resources and information that may lead to new opportunities. In this issue you will find a wealth of information such as:

grant opportunities for businesses up to $50,000,
redevelopment opportunities on two city-owned buildings,
upcoming infrastructure projects,
new business openings, and
lots of other information.

Take the first step to help us Grow Together! We ask that you:

sign-up to select the email lists you wish to receive by clicking "Update Profile" at the very bottom of this newsletter.
share this email by clicking on a social media box down below.
forward this email to your business associates for them to sign-up.

Lastly, feel free to share any thoughts, news, and ideas about how we can advance Joliet forward. We would love to hear from you by responding to this email.

Respectfully,

Cesar Suarez

Cesar J. Suarez

Economic Development Director

In the News

Joliet Ranked 8th Safest City in the United States

The City of Joliet was ranked 8th safest city out of 263 US cities with populations of 100,000 or more. The survey conducted by MoneyGeek and a group of professor's is another reason why Joliet continues to be a great place for business and residency. The study started in 2021 and utilized FBI crime data. Read More . .

Lion Electric Makes History in Joliet

In November 2022 Lion Electric produced its first “made in America” Lion C zero-emission EV school bus at its Joliet, Illinois factory. The 900,000 square foot facility is set to produce 200,000 EV trucks/buses annually to meet growing demand. Over a thousand new jobs in the next 4 years are anticipated. Read more . .

On the subject of makeing history, congratulations to Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C. They have the distinction of becoming the first public school district in Illinois to begin using a Lion Electric battery charged school bus. Read more . .

New Businesses

Joliet Welcomes Olive Garden

Joliet is excited to welcome Olive Garden at 16337 S Boulevard just west of the Rt 30 and I-55 interchange. A ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Mayor, Council, and Joliet Chamber members. The new model restaurant of nearly 8,000 sf is the first of its kind in IL, and will seat more than 250. The doors will open April 10 for those seeking classic Italian cuisine. Read more . .

Downtown Joliet Gets Greener

City Economic Development staff attended the Grand Opening of Internode Greenery & Home on March 22nd at 81 N. Chicago Street in Downtown Joliet. Internode shoppers can find plants, gifts, apparel and more for home and office. Custom design services are also offered to make your home and office space more alive and inviting. Visit Internode downtown and/or at their website. Read More . .

New Business Licenses - Application/Opening Dates:

January 13 - Paleteria Maya- 1023 Woodruff Road- Food Store
January 20 - Mel's Tacos and More- 2049 Route 59- Food Store
January 23 - Nutrition Direct - 1736 Essington Road Suite E- Dietary Supplements
February 14 - I Love Nutrition - 1206 Plainfield Road- Nutrition Supplements
March 25 - Gallo De Acero- 351 E. Cass Street- Mexican Restaurant
April 1 - DeWitt's Gourmet- 3340 Mall Loop Drive- Cookie Bakery
April 16 - Mucho Salsa- 3340 Mall Loop Drive 1292 - Mexican Restaurant

City Development Projects

City Square Project

The City of Joliet continues to gather input for its design of City Square, a 1.3 acres site across from the Rialto Square Theater, at the corner of Clinton and Chicago Street. City Square will be an attractive outdoor venue that will continue to draw visitors to downtown throughout the year. Read More . .

Chicago Street Corridor

The Chicago Street corridor, from Jefferson to Webster, will be reconstructed and modernized. The improvements include the realignment and straightening of the street, new streetscape amenities, and the expansion of parking on both sides of the street. Downtown will be more open and accessible Read More . .

Other infrastructure projects can be viewed below:

Business Resources

New Grants for Small Businesses!

Up to $50,000 is available as a grant to eligible businesses! Small businesses who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic are encouraged to apply. Applications can be submitted starting April 5th, and the deadline is May 10th. The State received $175 million in Back to Business grant funds to allocate to restaurants, hotels, and arts. Read More . .

Additional Business Resources are available through:

Featured Properties

Loughran Building

1 E. Cass Street

Stadium Building

141 E. Jefferson Street

Development Opportunity! A mixed-use development is available for redevelopment in the middle of Downtown Joliet, at the northeast corner of Cass and Chicago Street. The three story building contains of 16,000 sf with the first floor setup for a restaurant/bar operation. Interested parties can view the full RFP here.

Development Opportunity! City is seeking an investor, developer, or business to purchase and redevelop the Stadium Building at 141 E. Jefferson Street. The 16,100 sf building has a third floor balcony that overlooks to ball park and ample parking is available across the street. To receive the full RFP click here.

Tourism and Special Events

Discover Joliet! Go to VisitJoliet.com and learn what makes Joliet . . The City of Entertainment. Learn where to go to shop, dine, and have fun at Joliet's restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, art, sports, theaters, and casinos. Joliet is rich in history and full of destinations and unique events for you and your entire family throughout the year.