DEVELOPING BERWYN B erwyn continues to support the resiliency of our business community as we transition back to a new normal. With the help of the City of Berwyn and the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC), businesses are innovating and taking advantage of available resources to continue operations. We know times are tough, but we will continue to create new programs and services to address the rapidly changing realities that our businesses face. In 2020, the BDC committed new dollars to the Finish Line Grant program. This grant program is geared towards assisting business and property owners with the rehabilitation and renovation of buildings in our TIF districts. The goal of the program is not only to assist in redevelopment projects but also to increase the economic viability of our community. Eligible projects include marketing costs from March of 2020 onward, as well as rehabilitation or construction on a commercial property. So far this year, the BDC has committed more than $40,000 to 14 projects. While impressive, the BDC has available funding of over $460,000 remaining this year. If you have a project in mind, make sure you reach out to Brett Michaelson at Brettm@berwyn.net or by calling (708) 749-6582. In August of 2020, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity released their winners of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. The BIG program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. 23 Berwyn businesses were awarded grant funding totaling $390,000.
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7-Eleven & Starbucks Nearing Completion Construction is now complete for the redevelopment of the southeast corner of Harlem Ave and Ogden Ave. Starbucks hosted a grand opening on September 24th, and we expect the new 7-Eleven to open early in Q4 of 2020. These tenants will make great additions to the already robust business mix along one of Berwyn’s busiest commercial corridors.
Cermak & Oak Park Construction is now underway for the southeast corner of Cermak Road and Oak Park Ave. This redevelopment will preserve a portion of the original building, while creating new and much-needed parking for a medical office user. This redevelopment project will add to the already strong cluster of medical professionals that call our community home.
