South, Southwest, and West Side businesses are receiving over $2.1 million to support renovations and new buildouts through city program supporting neighborhood commercial corridors.
On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) announced 11 awardees for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants totaling more than $2.1 million, including a South Lawndale performance space, a Humboldt Park Travel Agency and an Austin karaoke venue.
“These investments are about supporting the Chicagoans who have long powered economic activity and community growth on the South, Southwest, and West Sides.” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The NOF program helps transform vacant and underutilized spaces into jobs, cultural spaces, and neighborhood anchors that reflect the unique strength and creativity of each community. I congratulate our awardees and thank them for their commitment to our communities and all of Chicago.”
Ranging from $60,000 to $250,000, the grants are supporting a variety of South, Southwest and West Side improvement projects valued at $5.5 million, including eight renovations of existing business locations and three buildouts for new enterprises.
“These projects help fulfill multiple community needs, from health services to entertainment that wouldn’t be possible through traditional financing sources,” said DPD Commissioner Ciere Boatright. “Several of them support a critical mass of nearby projects that collectively make neighborhoods more convenient, more walkable, and more desirable.”
The awardees and grant amounts include:
· Altogether Lovely Inc.
1841 W. 63rd St., West Englewood
$199,950 for hair salon renovation. (TPC: $266,600)
· Chanette’s Hair Emporium
6841 S. Ashland Ave., West Englewood
$184,125 for hair salon renovation. (TPC: $245,500)
· GK Group LLC
3948 W. Madison St., West Garfield Park
$250,000 for apparel retailer buildout. (TPC: $365,900)
· Goulart Travel
4119 W. North Ave., Humboldt Park
$151,922 for travel agency renovation. (TPC: $202,563)
· J & J Gonzalez Inc.
4207 W. 26th St., South Lawndale
$250,000 for beverage store expansion. (TPC: $616,755)
· Karaoke On The Ave!
5234 W. Chicago Ave., Austin
$250,000 for karaoke venue buildout. (TPC: $453,000)
· Lawndale Christian Health Center
3401 W. Roosevelt Road, North Lawndale
$250,000 for clinic and pharmacy buildout. (TPC: $2,629,579)
· Sacred Memories Funeral Home
2024 E. 75th St., South Shore
$190,500 for chapel space renovation. (TPC: $254,000)
· Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream
5246 W. Chicago Ave., Austin
$60,000 for ice cream shop buildout. (TPC: $80,000)
· The Community Theater/The Joseph’s Place
5912 W. Chicago Ave., Austin
$187,500 for theater venue buildout. (TPC: $250,000)
· Wolf Village
2234 S. California Ave., South Lawndale
$171,285 for art gallery and performance space buildout. (TPC: $228,379)
Grantees were selected from 106 proposals submitted to DPD in late 2025 and early 2026. Applications were evaluated for project readiness, neighborhood needs and other criteria.
Grants reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs for new construction and rehabilitation, with additional funding available for soft costs involving design and technical assistance.
Since 2017, the NOF program has provided $17.6 million to 113 Chicago businesses. NOF grants are funded by density bonus fees paid by downtown construction projects. 80% of the proceeds are used as grants that support small business and cultural projects located within West, Southwest and South Side commercial corridors. The remainder is split between designated landmarks and downtown infrastructure.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with the next evaluation deadlines occurring on May 15 and August 14. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/NOF.
