Business Assistance Grants 

The Business Assistance Program is distributes reimbursement grants where the City pays back 50% of the total cost of the project after completion. It supports retention, enables expansion of existing businesses, enhances the City’s stock of properties that contain commercial businesses, and entices new businesses to form or locate in Des Plaines. To fulfill these goals, there are two types of grants:

• “BOOST,” which have a $10,000 maximum award and can be approved by the CED Department.

• “GROWTH,” which exceed $10,000 and have no maximum. These must be approved by City Council upon review and evaluation by CED. A business or commercial property owner/investor applying for a GROWTH grant should review the Council’s priorities in its five-year strategic plan: entertainment, shopping, and dining destinations.

For more information, download our guidelines and application, or contact Suzy Aguilar by email at saguilar@desplainesil.gov or by phone at 847-391-5424. Check out these testimonials from recipients of Business Assistance Grants:

Tax Incentives

The City of Des Plaines partners with Cook County on tax incentives that reduce the assessment level over a period of time. All tax incentive applications must have the support and consent of the City Council in order to be considered. Many Des Plaines businesses have benefited from the 6b, 7b and 7c incentive programs. Learn more at cookcountyassessor.com/incentives-special-properties.

The City of Des Plaines currently has six Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts that aim to revitalize and invest in specific areas that have high potential for new development economic growth. Learn more about them here.

Illinois First Stop

First Stop is a single statewide resource for entrepreneurs and businesses to obtain comprehensive regulatory and permitting information. Business specialists provide professional guidance to entrepreneurs by helping them identify and navigate regulatory requirements for their business and link them to state and local resources. Learn more here.

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Business Support Organizations

Whether you are an entrepreneur just starting off or you are part of an international corporation looking to expand or add a new location, staff in the Community and Economic Development Department wants to help your business and our local economy thrive. We partner with numerous agencies to provide amazing business support services and incentives to show that locating your business in Des Plaines is the best decision. Below are various organizations that offer unparalleled business support service. There are services, programs and incentives for every stage and level of business and some of them are even free!