Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Grant

Grant Overview

Grant for Chicago Business Improvements – Up to $250,000

Donor: City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD)

About: The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) is a transformative grant program that helps Chicago businesses and property owners enhance their commercial and industrial buildings through permanent improvements. Launched in 1999, this initiative leverages Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to revitalize local business districts and strengthen Chicago’s economic backbone.

The program offers substantial reimbursement grants that can cover up to 90% of your improvement costs, with maximum funding of $250,000 for industrial properties and $150,000 for commercial properties. This makes it possible for businesses to undertake significant renovations that might otherwise be financially out of reach.

What sets this grant apart is its comprehensive coverage of improvement costs. Whether you need to upgrade your HVAC system, renovate your facade, improve accessibility, or undertake interior renovations, SBIF can help make these essential improvements possible. The program specifically targets projects that enhance building appearance, improve operational efficiency, or ensure compliance with modern standards.

For businesses considering this opportunity, Grantaura offers specialized services to maximize your chances of success. Our expert team can assist with grant research, document preparation (including business plans and financial projections), and full application submission support. We understand the complexities of the SBIF program and can help ensure your application meets all requirements.

Focus: Building renovation, Facade improvements, ADA compliance, HVAC systems, Plumbing upgrades, Electrical work, Interior renovations, Environmental remediation, Solar panel installation, Commercial property enhancement, Industrial facility improvement

Region: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Eligibility:
-Commercial Business Owners
–Annual gross sales under $9 million
–Must be located in an eligible TIF district
-Industrial Business Owners
–200 or fewer full-time employees
–Must be located in an eligible TIF district
-Property Owners/Landlords
–Net worth under $9 million
–Liquid assets under $500,000
-Must have site control (deed or lease)
-Property must be in a SBIF-eligible TIF district
-All applicants must be current on property taxes
-Must be free of debt to the City of Chicago
-Residential projects are not eligible

Benefits:
-Commercial Properties
–Up to $150,000 in reimbursement
–90% reimbursement for businesses with sales under $3 million
–60% reimbursement for businesses with sales $3-6 million
–30% reimbursement for businesses with sales $6-9 million
-Industrial Properties
–Up to $250,000 in reimbursement
–50% reimbursement rate
-Multi-tenant Properties
–Up to $75,000 per commercial tenant
–Up to $100,000 per industrial tenant
–Maximum $250,000 total per property

Deadline: Ongoing – Monthly rolling deadlines based on TIF district location.

Terms:
-TIF (Tax Increment Financing): A public financing method used to subsidize community improvement projects
-SBIF: Small Business Improvement Fund
-DPD: Department of Planning and Development
-SomerCor: The not-for-profit organization that administers the SBIF program
-NFP: Not-for-profit organization
-MEP: Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing systems
-ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
-Conditional Commitment Letter: Official approval document from DPD allowing construction to begin