City of Chicago
Small Business Improvement
Fund (SBIF) Grant
Are you located in a City of Chicago TIF district and want to renovate your building?
The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) promotes economic development by providing small businesses with financial assistance for building-improvement costs. SomerCor is the program administrator contracted by the City’s Department of Planning and Development for the SBIF program.
SBIF grants use local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue to reimburse you for the pre-approved repair or rehab of your business facilities or adjacent land acquisition. You must be located within a SBIF eligible TIF district.
The maximum grant assistance for an industrial property is $150K; for a single-tenant commercial property the maximum is $100K; and for multi-tenant commercial property, it is $50K.
Grant funds are provided after an approved project is complete and all expenses are paid. Please note that River West is the only area available within the WCA service area.
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Let the West Central Association know if your West Loop business is open! We are sharing the list of open businesses on our website, social media and newsletter.
You can find the list of open West Loop businesses
here
.
Please note that we are continually adding to the list so your business might already be listed! Check out the link above to see if you are listed before filling out the form.
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Support our open local businesses! Check out our website for information on businesses open for delivery, pick up, live-streaming and more.
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NEW MEMBER PROFILE: Little Green Tree House
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Little Green Tree House is a vibrant early childhood center that serves children between six weeks and five years of age. LGTH provides high quality care combined with a strong educational foundation and a focus on environmental consciousness. From our organic meals to our indoor and outdoor play spaces and classrooms filled with natural materials, LGTH sets the bar high for childcare. Our teachers are highly educated and receive age-specific training, allowing them to effectively communicate each new developmental stage your child reaches. Each day, LGTH provides high quality care while respecting the environment. Read below to learn more!
How long have you been in the neighborhood?
Our company opened July 9, 2009. We have since opened three more locations in Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Evanston.
Why the West Loop?
When we opened in 2009, childcare was needed in the neighborhood, and we wanted to provide quality daycare to an emerging part of the city. We have continued serving the area through its growth and development and have loved offering a superior and eco-friendly childcare facility.
What are your top challenges in growing your business?
While we do not encounter many of the same challenges most daycare centers face, such as teacher quality and turn-over, we do always strive to provide long term care. We have noticed that as children get older and families grow, they tend to move out of the neighborhood. Therefore, we offer centers in other areas to keep families with Little Green Tree House.
Why did you join the West Central Association?
We want to focus on being a part of the amazing community we are serving. We want to reach out to the neighborhood and let them know we are here, we are open, we have remained open during this pandemic as a safe, eco-friendly, learning environment for children.
What makes your business unique?
We are a very eco-friendly daycare and take the quality of all things we offer to the highest extent, including our staff, meals, supplies, and more. We take a unique approach on learning, we are extremely communicative with families, and we strive to provide the utmost level of care.
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Green City Market re-opened on Saturday, June 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mary Bartleme Park! We will provide an update about our schedule for the remainder of the summer in the coming weeks.

Prefer home deliveries? We've still got you covered on Wednesdays (and pick up will continue to be available at Band of Bohemia on Wednesdays, too).
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While we may be at home, our hearts are with our community. Bennett Day School has created a collaborative art installation outside the school’s playground to remind the community that we’re all in this together. This month, students and families were mailed wooden hearts as an invitation to contribute to the installation, pulling creative minds together to create a colorful installation for the whole community to enjoy.
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Greektown Chicago Introduces New Street Art Project with Fanciful Fish Sculptures
Come & Meet Greektown Chicago’s Fun & Fanciful Fish!
Greektown Chicago is alive with new street art! A school of 22 fanciful fish have landed along Halsted Street between Monroe and Van Buren. Each of the artist-painted fish sculptures is amazing. Some fishies showcase the imagination of Greek School students and teachers. Other fish exhibit the creativity of some of Chicago’s finest professional and emerging artists.
These fabulous fish are positioned near your favorite shops, bars, and restaurant. And, they will be delighting visitors to Greektown all summer long.
The Greektown Arts Committee appreciates our partnership with the Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation and is thankful for the Greek Schools participating in this art display.
Read more here
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Patios Open In Greektown Chicago
Summer is in the air and Chicagoans are itching to get outdoors and enjoy patio season with friends and loved ones. As patios begin to reopen in the city, Greektown Chicago plans to keep the community updated with news, promotions and specials as they become available. The below restaurants are excited to welcome guests to their outdoor spaces while practicing new social distancing measures.
- 9 Muses: 9 Muses uses the finest ingredients to create delicious, authentic and natural Greek dishes paired with expertly crafted cocktails and imported, family-owned wines. Enjoy the neighborly outdoor seating and devour Greek favorites including the gyro pita, Mediteranean chicken, skordato, skewers, Greek fries and more!
- Greek Islands: Visit this traditionally decorated outdoor space and enjoy fresh and authentic Greek cuisine with friends and loved ones. Favorite menu items include flaming saganaki, homemade gyros, chicken shishkabob, spanakotiropita and much more!
- Santorini: Sit back and relax on Santorini’s gorgeous patio and enjoy a selection of traditional dishes, appetizers, salads, kabobs, chicken, steak, seafood and more.
- Athena: Continuously voted as one of Chicago’s best outdoor dining experiences, Athena is thrilled to welcome guests back to their beautiful patio this summer. Decorated with a fountain and columns inspired by ancient Greek architecture, diners will feel as though they’ve been transported to Athens.
- Artopolis: Place your order at the counter and enjoy limited seating at the front of the restaurant. Favorite items include artopitas, a light and flaky pastry filled with feta cheese or spinach, or order an artisan gourmet wood-fired pizza, made from old world recipes using the finest cheeses and olive oil.
- Spectrum Bar & Grill: Now open with limited open-air dining, enjoy Greek favorites, starters, salads, toasted sub sandwiches, paninis, burgers, homemade thin crust pizzas and much more. Cheers to summer with a fresh cocktail, cold beer or selection of Greek wines.
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Chamber of Commerce representing businesses in the West Loop, Greektown, Madison Row, Randolph Street, Jackson Blvd., Fulton River District, Fulton Market, United Center Park, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, University Village and Commons, UIC
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