February 2026

Community Development Grant - Medium

Medium grants from $300,001 to $5 million are intended to support eligible commercial, cultural, industrial, institutional, social service and mixed-use projects. Grants are intended to support up to 50% of total project costs involving new construction, rehabilitation or both.

Private and non-profit developers, tenants and property owners are eligible to apply individually or jointly during competitive, semi-annual funding rounds. 

Medium grants are funded through proceeds from Tax Increment Financing (TIF), the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF), and the Housing and Economic Development (HED) bond. The source of funding for each Medium grant is determined at the discretion of DPD.



Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis with payments made at either defined milestones during construction or upon project completion. At the discretion of DPD, funding may be offered as a loan rather than a grant.

More information is available on the Medium grant FAQ page. A comprehensive overview of Medium grant rules and regulations is available in the program manual.

Applications are now open. Apply by 11:59pm on February 13, 2026.

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Due to strong demand, funds for Workforce Solutions projects located outside of TIF districts have been fully allocated for the 2025 application cycle. New applications seeking bond funding will be asked to reapply in the first quarter of 2026.

Applications are still welcome for projects located in eligible TIF districts.

Free February Webinars

City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers

February 4th 2026

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by the City of Chicago

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.

Register

Financial Management for a Small Business

February 6th 2026

9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by Wintrust Bank

In this webinar you will learn the concept of financial management and why it is important to a small business. You will learn to identify financial management practices, rules and tools that are commonly available. You also learn how financial management practices, rules and tools work along with the basics of start-up financing and growing a business. The webinar will also cover the basics of working capital and financing fixed assets.

Register

What You Need to Know About Your Business & Federal Taxes

February 11th 2026

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Ladder Up

This workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What business records must be kept? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?

Register

Financing for Your Business

February 13th 2026

9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by Allies for Community Business (A4CB)

Allies for Community Business offers term loans and lines of credit ($500 -$100,000) and revenue-based financing ($50,000 -$500,000) to early, emerging, and established businesses. Join this webinar to learn more and get your questions answered!

Register

Empower Hour: Reach for the Stars

February 19th 2026

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

This month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Chief Small Business Officer Lotika Pai chatting with Lisa Collins-Wilkins, Owner of Reach for the Stars.

Reach for the Stars is a child daycare center located in Chicago’s Woodlawn community. The center offers childcare programs with classrooms and field trips to help children learn and connect. The center is one of few that offers extended hours, such as 5:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. daily, as well as a “parent center” that goes beyond childcare by assisting parents with job searches, clothing donations, resources for mental health and more.

The candid conversation will cover the start and growth of the business, community involvement, and youth education. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.

Register

Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.

Visit BACP’s YouTube for all webinars.

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Join our membership today and be part of a powerful network working to build a stronger, more connected local business community.

Without your support GNCDC would not have grown to be the great organization that it is today. It is through hard work and support from all the GNCDC members that we continue to make a difference and help grow our community. Membership dues help GNCDC provide the grants, events and programs that help members grow their businesses. Please pay your membership dues in a timely fashion. You can submit a payment online at your earliest convenience.

GNCDC would kindly like to remind all of our members - that without your support we would not exist. Renew, Join Sponsor, Donate today!

Newsletter, February 2026

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