In December 2025, the Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund opened for applications from businesses in the Addison South Tax Increment Financing District (TIF),

Amidst the bustling holiday season, we saw strong demand from our partners in the North Branch. We’re thrilled that twelve businesses applied for grants, including our member MegMade.

The twelve businesses that applied are:

• Chicago Roof Deck & Garden - 2632 W. Barry Ave
• MEGMADE - 2728 N Elston Ave
• Judson & Moore Distillery - 3057 N Rockwell St. 
• KH Hapkido School, Inc. - 2743 N. Western Ave
• Fernandez Auto Glass Inc. IV - 2733 N. Western Ave
• Sluggers Center LLC dba BASH Sport - 2617 W Flecther St.
• Steve Albini Inc dba Electrical Audio - 2621 W. Belmont Ave
• Metropolis Coffee Company LLC - 3057 N Rockwell St
• Mercenary Brewery & Distillery LLC  - 2717 N. Maplewood Ave.
• James Kong (Landlord) - 3149 N. Clybourne Ave
• WasteNot Inc. - 2950 N. Western Ave
• WasteNot Inc 3030 N. Western Ave

The Small Business Improvement Fund process begins with a short application. If awarded, the business will be partnered with a SomerCor staff person, who will work with the business to review, contract, and begin the project.

Our team is available to support businesses completing SBIF projects. Our partners have worked with us to see their projects come to life.

We support businesses with:

• Completing paperwork
• Connecting to experienced SBIF contractors
• Securing low-interest financing
• And more!

Our services supporting your SBIF project come at no cost, as per our contracts with the City of Chicago. We hope you will join small businesses like yours in completing a SBIF project. The next cycle near our service area begins in the Kennedy Kimball TIF in April 2026, followed by the Goose Island TIF in August 2026.

With questions and for help completing the SBIF process, please contact Steve Simmons at 773-929-5552 x2226 or Phoebe von Conta at x2236. 

Courtesy of WasteNot Compost.

Feature image courtesy of MegMade Chicago.