Via the Department of Planning and Development
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city.
Offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties, SBIF grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide.
Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of improvement costs, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grants do not have to be repaid.
Grant applications and allocations are administered by SomerCor on behalf of the City of Chicago.