Beginning in 2001, Chicago has been funding economic developments of small businesses through the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF). SBIF is a reimbursement program and the reimbursable expenses include things such as “permanent exterior improvement and storefront renovation”, stated by SomerCor.
SBIF is funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenue , which is a special funding tool used by the City of Chicago to promote public and private investment across the city.
According to Chicago Data Portal, there have been 2,000 small business grants approved in the city of Chicago over the past 19 years; many of them being on the north and west sides of the city. Here is a map that shows where all of the grants have been located zoom in to view the specific repairs and completion dates.
Charles Tharpe 