Chicago City Wire

Mayor Johnson has announced $20 million in grants for 28 community development projects across the city. The selected initiatives include a birthing center in South Shore, a commercial complex in Chinatown, and a ballroom in Woodlawn. These projects aim to support neighborhood development goals.

The total value of these projects is $58.5 million. They were chosen from over 250 applications submitted to the Department of Planning and Development’s Community Development Grant (CDG) and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) programs. The grants will assist with construction, rehabilitation costs, and related expenses.

Ten finalists from the CDG program are set to receive between $500,000 and $4.3 million each. This funding comes from sources such as the Housing and Economic Development bond, Tax Increment Financing, and the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.

Additionally, three CDG projects will receive pre-development grants up to $150,000 for design and engineering fees among other costs.

The NOF program will provide grants up to $250,000 to fifteen finalists. This initiative uses funds from fees paid by downtown construction projects to support small business and cultural projects on commercial corridors located on the West, Southwest, and South sides of the city.

Projects were evaluated based on financial need, location impact on neighborhoods, diversity and experience of development teams, as well as project readiness. Projects requiring more than $250,000 must obtain City Council approval.

For further details about these grant programs, visit the Community Development Grant and Neighborhood Opportunity Fund websites.