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Small Business Storefront Activation Program is sponsored by City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. This program provides funding to local community organizations to support small businesses in occupying vacant storefronts. It aims to revitalize commercial corridors by providing grants to help entrepreneurs with move-in costs, rent relief, and marketing in designated areas.
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The COVID-19 pandemic left significant increases in commercial corridor vacancy rates across the City. Brick and mortar businesses that relied on foot traffic to drive sales were particularly harmed as commercial corridors across the city saw major reductions in economic activity. Fourteen (14) community and economic development organizations were awarded grants as part of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program.
These selected organizations worked with small business owners and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by activating vacant storefronts into burgeoning business spaces. The goal of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program was to boost local spending and draw additional foot traffic to commercial corridors across the City. The Small Business Storefront Activation Program concluded on May 31, 2025.
Questions? Contact BACP at BACPEconomicRecovery@cityofchicago.
org **2023 - 2025 Small Business Storefront Activation Program Grantees**: * Calumet Area Industrial Commission * Coalition For a Better Chinese American Community * DishRoulette Kitchen NFP * Greater Chatham Initiative * Greater Southwest Development Corporation * Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce * Midway Chamber of Commerce * Portage Park Chamber of Commerce * The Far South Community Development Corporation * The Magnificent Mile Association * The Puerto Rican Cultural Center * West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce List of Storefront Activation Program Grantees Storefront Activation Program in action **Calumet Area Industrial Commission** The Calumet Area Industrial Commission’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://calumetareaindustrial. com **Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community** The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://cbcacchicago.
org **DishRoulette Kitchen NFP** DishRoulette Kitchen’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www. dishroulettekitchen.
com **Greater Southwest Development Corporation** Greater Southwest Development Corporation’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, vis it: https://greatersouthwest. org **Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce** Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce’s Activ ation site programming has ended.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://www. lakeviewroscoevillage. org **Midway Chamber of Commerce** Midway Chamber’s Storefront Activation programming has ended.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://www. midwaychamber. org **Portage Park Chamber of Commerce** The Portage Park Chamber of Commerce’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://www. portageparkchamber. org **The Far South Community Development Corporation** The Far South CDC’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://farsouthcdc. org **The Magnificent Mile Association** The Magnificent Mile Association’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.
themagnificentmile. com. **The Puerto Rican Cultural Center** The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended.
For more information on this organization, visit: https://prcc-chgo. org[](https://prcc-chgo. org%20/ "https://prcc-chgo.
org ") Uptown United’s Storefront Activation site s programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://exploreuptown. org.
**West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce** The West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www. westtownchamber.
org/pop-up.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses looking to expand or move into vacant retail spaces in specified Chicago community areas. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
Small Business Storefront Activation Program is funded by City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Illinois. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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