CHICAGO — More than two dozen South and West side businesses got city grants to expand and renovate as the city tries to invest more in vulnerable communities.
The entrepreneurs — whose businesses cover everything from restaurants to furniture stores and dance studios — got Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants of $49,000 to $1.68 million depending on their needs. The money can be used for construction, renovations, buying land and more.
More than 75 percent of the awardees are Black, Indigenous or people of color, according to a Mayor’s Office news release.
The winners:
- The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St.: $1.68 million
- John Sheff, 1901 S. Western Ave.: $1.6 million
- Detoy James, 949 E. 7th St.: $1.35 million
- Bitoy’s Sweet Treats, 5957 W. Chicago Ave.: $248,820
- Blue Tin Productions, 3055 W. 63rd St.: $250,000
- Burdeens Chicago, 2139 W. Cermak Road: $250,000
- Carnitas Uruapan, 3801 W. 26th St.: $250,000
- Chicago Bodyshop, 2049 E. 79th St.: $250,000
- Chicago Human Rhythm Project, 8701 S. Bennett Ave.: $250,000
- ChiFresh Kitchen, 2049 E. 79th St.: $250,000
- Elia’s Mattress, 1846 W. 47th St.: $217,923
- Flyball, 4404 S. Cottage Grove Ave.: $166,100
- Jamaican Jerk Villa, 632-654 W. 79th St.: $250,000
- La Casa de Samuel, 2836-38 W. Cermak Road: $160,050
- Mikkey’s Retro Grill, 839 W. 79th St.: $171,637
- Naty’s Pizza, 3849 W. 26th St.: $90,213
- Ninety Two Sneakers & Apparel, 4717 S. Ashland Ave.: $28,050
- Nuevo Leon Bakery, 4062 W. 26th St.: $59,516
- Pop That Pop on the Grove, 4424 S. Cottage Grove Ave.: $81,598
- Reggio’s Pizza, 4438 S. Cottage Grove Ave.: $250,000
- Restaurant Las Esperanzas, 1758 W. 47th St.: $49,500
- Rincon Family Servcies, 3944 W. North Ave.: $177,075
- SanJustins Kitchen, 157 W. 75th St.: $250,000
- Stephens Properties, 1519 W. 79th St.: $250,000
- Taqueria Huentitan, 4019 W. North Ave.: $81,675
- Turkey Chop, 2911 E. 79th St.: $166,971
- Urban Luxe Cafe, 2139 W. Cermak Road: $154,200
More information about individual projects is available online. In all, the city awarded about $10 million in grants.
City Council will have to approve awards greater than $250,000. The winners will also be given access to design professionals, subcontracting and financing specialists to help with their projects, according to the Mayor’s Office.
The money for the grants comes from the proceeds from Downtown construction projects.
Another round of Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants will be held this year.
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