CHICAGO — A century-old Lower West Side bakery, a Greater Grand Crossing urban farm, and an Austin print shop are among 14 finalists for Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF) grants totaling nearly $1.9 million, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced today. 

"On behalf of my administration, I am proud to support the local businesses and entrepreneurs who are driving the revitalization of our communities," said Mayor Johnson. "The NOF grant program is a down-payment on a safer, more affordable, and thriving future for all of Chicago. I applaud the grant recipients on taking this step and look forward to seeing them grow, create jobs, and inspire the next generation of community leaders."   

Ranging from $47,540 to $250,000, the grants are supporting neighborhood improvement projects totaling approximately $2.8 million. 

The awardees and grant amounts include: 

• Chicago Systems & Signals, 121 E. 115th St., West Pullman $250,000 for engineering company headquarters buildout. 
• DixiePura Kitchen, 325 E. Pershing Road, Grand Boulevard $59,700 for Southern/Asian restaurant renovation. 
• DLV Printing Service, Inc., 5825 W. Corcoran Place, Austin $93,600 for retail area expansion. 
• GCYC Food Sovereignty Hub, 7230 S. South Chicago Ave., Greater Grand Crossing $250,000 for youth center greenhouse and urban farm expansion. 
• Host Mart Inc., 235 E. 35th St., Douglas $88,299 for Indian grocery store buildout. 
• James L. Bowers, Attorney, 5940-42 W. Chicago Ave, Austin $114,900 for office space exterior improvements. 
• Loncar’s Chico, 3201 E. 92nd St., South Chicago $75,000 for tavern facade and roof improvements. 
• Nova Driving School, 3811 W. 26th St., South Lawndale $159,750 for classroom rehabilitation and expansion. 
• Pink Hats Construction & Development Inc., 11004 S. Halsted Ave., Morgan Park $250,000 engineering company office space expansion. 
• ReStore South, 6057 S. Western Ave., Chicago Lawn $120,765 for a Habitat for Humanity home improvement store buildout. 
• Rosnogaizi Beauty Salon, 4147 W. North Ave., Humboldt Park $116,826 for workspace renovations. 
• Universal Travel Service Inc., 4310 W. 26th St., South Lawndale $126,960 for storefront improvements. 
• Wagner’s Bakery Inc., 2148 W. Cermak Road, Lower West Side $101,160 for kitchen and sales floor improvements at 107-year-old bakery. 
• Xpress Auto Repair Inc., 7820 S. Ashland Ave., Auburn Gresham $47,540 for exterior signage upgrades. 

Grantees were selected from 59 proposals submitted during an application period that closed in May. Applications were evaluated for project readiness, neighborhood needs and other criteria, according to Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Commissioner Ciere Boatright. 

“Each of these grants will contribute to commercial corridor vitality and complement nearby investments,” said Commissioner Boatright. “Most of these projects are blocks away from five to 10 other recent DPD grantees, which will help create a critical mass of improvements for long-term neighborhood growth.” 

NOF grants are made possible through fees paid by downtown construction projects. Eighty percent of the proceeds are used as grants that support small business and cultural projects located on West, Southwest and South Side commercial corridors. Grants reimburse up to 75% of eligible costs for new construction and rehabilitation, with additional funding available for soft costs involving design and technical assistance. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, visit Chicago.gov/NOF. 

###