By: Ashmar Mandou

The City of Chicago announced on Wednesday that more than 60 neighborhood businesses and nonprofit organizations are set to receive nearly $40 million in Community Development Grants as part of the Chicago Recovery Plan to provide post-pandemic relief. “Two of my highest priorities as Mayor are funneling resources into communities that have gone far too long without and removing barriers for residents who have too often been shut out from opportunities to obtain upward mobility,” said Mayor Lightfoot.

The grants are designed to support workplace improvements, new construction, energy-system enhancements, and other eligible costs that support neighborhood vitality, economic development, community wealth-building, public health, and local planning goals. Funding sources include City of Chicago bond funds and proceeds from the Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) Tax Increment Financing and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund programs. Total project costs for the 61 finalists are estimated at more than $93 million. A few of the finalists selected to receive grants exceeding $250,000 include: 

• Eli’s Cheesecake Co. Innovation & Education Center, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Ave., Dunning 

• Intuit, 756 N. Milwaukee Ave., West Town 

• Lawrence Gateway, 2919 W. Lawrence Ave., Albany Park 

• LUCHA New Office Phase I, 4054-56 W. North Ave., Humboldt Park 

• Northwest Side Housing Center, 5233 W. Diversey Ave., Belmont Cragin 

• The MAAFA Center for Arts & Activism, 4241 W. Washington Blvd., West Garfield Park 

“From restaurants to theaters to cafes, these finalists represent the future of Chicago neighborhoods and the amenities that make them so special,” DPD Commissioner Maurice Cox said. “In addition to their grant awards, each recipient will receive concierge services from City staff to help make their dreams come true.”  More information is available at Chicago.gov/ChiRecoveryGrant.