Glen Ellyn Business Grants

The Glen Ellyn Economic Development Corporation (EDC) markets the availability of business incentives offered by the Village of Glen Ellyn to targeted businesses in its recruitment efforts.  The Village of Glen Ellyn manages two business grant programs, the Interior Improvement Grant Program for new and expanding downtown retailers, and the Commercial Facade Improvement Program which assists property owners and tenants Village-wide with their exterior appearance projects. 

Retail Attraction and Retention Incentive

The Glen Ellyn EDC established the Downtown Interior Improvement Grant Program in February 2009 as an incentive tool for recruiting targeted retailers and retaining growth retailers. The Village of Glen Ellyn assumed administration of the grant program in May 2011. The current program offers financial assistance of up to a 50% matching grant up to $15,000 to new business owners or existing retailers with eligible improvements. To date, over $50,000 in disbursed grant monies have leveraged over $188,000 in private sector investment for completed interior build outs. 

Interior improvement assistance provides the following benefits:

  • Improves our competitive edge with other communities for recruitment success
  • Invests funding directly into permanent interior improvements for commercial buildings
  • Serves as a direct means to partner with new and expanding retailers and property owners
  • Leverages private investment for higher quality interior improvements
  • 6 projects completed to date

Commercial Exterior Improvements Incentive

Exterior renovations improve the attractiveness of our commercial areas to customers and visitors, directly affecting the value and viability of our business community. The Glen Ellyn EDC established the Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program in 1997 and managed the grant program for over 13 years. The Village of Glen Ellyn assumed administration of the grant program in May 2011. The current program provides up to a 50% matching grant up to $10,000 for eligible exterior improvements. To date, over $178,000 in disbursed grant monies have leveraged nearly $1.6 million in private sector investment for completed façade projects. 

Façade assistance provides the following benefits:

  • Invests funding directly into the commercial building inventory for appearance improvements
  • Serves as a direct means to partner with business and property owners
  • Leverages private investment for higher quality exterior improvements
  • Positively impacts appeal to customers increasing business traffic and sales
  • 58 projects completed since 1997, an average of 4 projects per year