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Downtown Financial Incentives

The Joliet City Center Partnership is dedicated to supporting a strong and expanding business climate in Downtown Joliet. Through revenues from the Special Service Area (SSA), we’ve created grant programs designed to encourage private investment and support redevelopment within the Downtown Core.

Small Business
Assistance Grant

A Small Business Assistance Grant is intended to provide a start-up incentive in the form of a microgrant. This grant provides funding directly to new businesses who are renting or leasing space within the Downtown Core Area. This grant is not intended for property owners. The use of funds are flexible in nature and are intended to expedite the opening of a business when there is a demonstrated need for assistance. The grant applicant shall identify specific improvements to be made that will modernize or alter the space in order to allow for a new use to occur.

Examples of eligible micro-grants include,
but are not limited to the following:

  • New Signage
  • Upgrade or replacement of interior fixtures (i.e. lighting, plumbing, etc.)
  • Remodeling or modernization expenses (counter tops, doors, interior trim, ceiling tiles, etc.)
  • Other improvements that will remain with the space

For more information download the full Grant Programs Guidlines PDF

Building Improvement Grant

A Building Improvement Grant is intended to provide assistance for property enhancements that are undertaken on the interior and/or exterior of a building. This grant is not intended to fund work that is construed as maintenance, cosmetic or is merely undertaken to improve interior finishes. This incentive is intended to encourage business and property owners to expand, upgrade, modernize or change the interior use of an interior space. Approval will include only those improvements that are considered permanent, add value to the property and will remain with the space should the applicant use or ownership cease in the future. The Joliet City Center Partnership shall solely determine whether the proposed work meets the standard of an “improvement” as opposed to projects that are more reflective of “maintenance”.

Eligible project elements may include,
but are not limited to, the following examples:

  • Exterior Improvements
  • Door replacement
  • New awnings
  • Façade renovation/replacement
  • Restoration of original architectural features
  • Interior Improvements
  • HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
  • Sprinkler or fire suppression systems
  • Upgrades to accessibility or other code compliance
  • Utility upgrades

For more examples download the full Grant Programs Guidlines PDF

Visionary Incentive Package

A Visionary Incentive Package is a customized assistance program intended to stimulate projects that are considered to be “game changers” within the Downtown Core Area. By definition an eligible project would demonstrate tremendous value to the Downtown Core and overall Joliet community.

Project elements may include any eligible expense authorized for Exterior Improvement Grants or Interior Improvement Grants.

need to demonstrate no fewer than five (5)
of the following characteristics:

  • Ability to generate significant retail sales taxes, exceeding other typical businesses within the Core.
  • Ability to significantly increase equalized assessed value and property tax generation of the subject property, and adjacent property within the Core.
  • Ability to create a significant number of new employment opportunities.
  • Ability to achieve major goals desired within the Joliet Downtown Plan or other applicable plans.
  • Ability to increase the availability of market rent housing within the Core.
  • Attraction of unique project that would enhance the image of the City Center Core and City as a whole.
  • Ability to generate a significant number of visitors, tourism and foot traffic increasing vibrancy within the Core.
  • Potential to result in related, or complementary, business development elsewhere within the Core.
  • Commitment to undertake a sensitive restoration of historic property.
  • Ability to convert vacant or nearly vacant property into leasable space.

Together, we’re creating a downtown Joliet
that everyone can be proud of.

For more information download the Grant Guidlines PDF here below.

Grant Program Guidlines
Programas de Subvencion
VIEW SSA MAP

Contact Us

Please fill out this form to move forward with any of our grant programs. Reach out and someone from our team will contact you.