CHICAGO, IL (WBBM Newsradio) - The Neighborhood Retail Activation Program aims to help businesses impacted by severe summer storms in 2023 and 2024 and to bring overall revitalization to the commercial corridors in Chicago’s Austin, West Garfield Park, and Belmont-Cragin neighborhoods.
“Investments like this are at the center of my administration’s commitment to supporting small businesses and growing our commercial corridors into thriving community hubs,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “A community-level partner organization will inspire entrepreneurship and create jobs in one of our city’s most well-known commercial corridors.”
Each of the organizations involved will focus on building economic interest in their respective retail corridors, whether that be helping existing small business owners, identifying move in ready storefronts, or creating pop-ups.
The four Delegate Agencies selected, one for each RFP representing a different community area and commercial corridor, are:
Austin African American Business Networking Association for the Austin neighborhood, specifically Chicago Avenue between Austin Boulevard and Cicero Avenue;
Westside Health Authority for the Austin neighborhood, specifically Madison Street between Austin Boulevard and Laramie Avenue;
Northwest Side CDC for the Belmont Cragin neighborhood, specifically the Belmont Avenue/Central Avenue commercial corridor;
Together Chicago for the West Garfield Park neighborhood, specifically Madison Street between Kostner Avenue and Hamlin Boulevard.
“Together Chicago is honored to be the recipient of the Neighborhood Retail Activation Program Grant for the Madison Street Corridor in West Garfield Park,” said Shelby Parchman, Director of Business Incubation, Together Chicago. “This investment will help strengthen local businesses, activate storefronts, and create more vibrant, welcoming commercial spaces for residents and entrepreneurs alike. We are grateful to the City of Chicago for recognizing the potential of this corridor and for partnering with community-based organizations to drive equitable economic growth.”
More information can be found through the City of Chicago website.
A long shuttered grocery store along the Madison-Pulaski commercial corridor in Chicago's West Garfield Park neighborhood.
Brandon Ison
