The Village of Gurnee recognizes and appreciates the value, hard work and investments made by the small business community. This program was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and through prudent budgeting, the Village is in a financial position to continue to offer incentives to business owners to do projects that might not otherwise have been possible.

A capital project is a project which enhances or improves an asset; in this case, commercial real estate. The intent of this program is to help fund improvements or repairs of a permanent nature that will remain with the property. Capital projects are typically defined as new construction, expansion, or renovations of a property. Common capital improvement projects are: roof replacement, patio structure of a permanent nature, parking lot improvement, signage improvement, plumbing ,electrical and HVAC improvements, etc. 

The Impact Grant is a 1:1 matching reimbursable grant up to $10,000. Two may be awarded per eligible applicant. The Impact Grant is also open year-round till funds are no longer available.

The Transformational Grant is a competitive grant for capital investments greater than $100K. Applications for the Transformational Grant are accepted once annually. This is a 1:1 matching reimbursable grant up to $50,000. Only two grants of this size will be awarded each year. 

Receipt of one type of grant (Impact or Transformational) does not preclude the other.

Construction - site, interior or exterior	HVAC improvements
Parking lot improvements no less than resurfacing or expansions	Accessibility improvements
Patio type structure of a permanent nature	Carryout/Curbside reconfiguration including permanent signage
Facade improvements/restoration	Improvement or installation of high efficiency materials or permanent technology to building
Life safety improvements	Exterior signage (ground or wall) excluding individual sign face changes
Plumbing improvements	Capital equipment if permanently installed
Electrical improvements, including lighting	Awning improvement or addition
Dumpster enclosure	Re-roof
Painting, only in conjunction with a larger project, minimum total investment $10,000 ($5,000 grant)	Permanent fencing improvements
Landscape installation, only in conjunction with a larger project, minimum total investment $10,000 ($5,000 grant)	Professional fees (excluding building permit fees) required to accomplish or undertake project

Replacement Capital projects of qualifying elements will generally be eligible so long as the replacement is of a permanent nature and will remain with the property. 

The Small Business Capital Investment Grant Program is for capital improvements; therefore, cosmetic improvements do not qualify. Examples (not inclusive) of cosmetic improvements include:

• Painting
• Installation or replacement of finishes
• Sealcoating
• Most items not requiring a building permit. 
• Demolition or grading
• Acquisition of furniture, fixtures & equipment (commonly referred to as FF&E expenditures)

Otherwise, non-qualifying items may be considered at the discretion of the Village if undertaken as part of a larger, qualifying project. 

Any project expense already funded or incentivized with other public sources - federal, state, county or municipal - will not qualify for funds from the Small Business Capital Investment Grant Program. 

Improvements not specifically listed as eligible, or ineligible are subject to review and approval by the Village of Gurnee. Grants may be awarded in part if not all expenses are eligible. 

Under the program, the Village will provide matching funds up to the specified maximum for eligible capital projects. the applicant is required to match the grant funds approved to complete the project by expending at least an equal amount of their own funds to complete the project. Applicant labor and time contributions to the capital project or "sweat equity" cannot be included as match expenditures required from applicant. 

To date the Village Board has approved $1,000,000 in SBCG funds. The program is subject to annual review and re-appropriation of funding. The program is available until each years' budget funds have been expended.

The Village will accept applications for the Impact Grant year-round until funds are no longer available. 

Application period for the Transformational Grant is set by the village annually; two awards will given. If you have missed the deadline to apply, feel free to apply for the Impact Grant.  

Businesses have eighteen (18) months from the issuance of "Letter of Award" to complete the approved project. 

No application fee.

Businesses may request reimbursement of 50% of eligible expenses. 

Impact Grant is 1:1 matching up to $10,000, maximum two grants or $20,000.
Transformational Grant requires a minimum investment of $100,000 and is a 1:1 matching grant up to $50,000. 

Decisions will usually made within 30 days after a receipt of a full completed application. Applicants will receive an Award Letter.

Grant funds are paid upon completion of the capital project(s) as long as the proper permits have been fulfilled if applicable and documentation is provided, which must include the following documents:

• W-9;
• Paid receipts; or
• Contactor's affidavit affirming project completion and payment

All eligible businesses must meet all of the following conditions:

• Generate sales tax, food & beverage tax, amusement tax or hotel tax and be current with the remittance of all such taxes payable to the Village
• Hold current Village of Gurnee business license and be properly licensed in all other respects
• Home occupations are not eligible for grants under this program
• Must be compliant with all obligations and in good standing with the Village of Gurnee

No, businesses located outside of the corporate limits of Gurnee do not qualify. 

Yes, any eligible business that opened in the Village of Gurnee prior to August 2021 can qualify for the program.

Many businesses had to shut down temporarily during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As long as the closure was temporary, and the eligible business is now open, it can qualify for the grant.

Yes, grants are funded per eligible business licensee. Therefore, if you hold multiple Village of Gurnee business licenses, each of those businesses may apply assuming it meets the program criteria. 

The business owner or authorized agent for the business must sign on behalf of the business applicant. 

Businesses can qualify with property owner consent, which needs to be indicated on the application. 

Yes, the landlord can provide some or all of the 50% required matching funding for the project. 

Applicants need to be an eligible licensed business in the Village of Gurnee, however:

• Multi-tenant center owners with at least one eligible business in the center, may qualify for up to $10,000, twice, to fund common area improvements or build out a tenant space for an eligible business. A business or tenant space related to the management or operations of the property (e.g. "management office") is not eligible.

• Eligible business tenants can apply for capital improvements to their own tenant space; landowners can help fund the proposed project.

If other public funding has been received for the same project expenses, then those particular expenses will not qualify for the Small Business Capital Grant. If there are other project expenses that were not covered, then those could be eligible under the SBCG program.

Yes, although the Village has approved matching funds for the project, the Applicant is still responsible for obtaining all necessary permits. 

No, permit fees do not qualify as an eligible expense. 

All SBCG grant applications, and any supporting documentation, must be summitted to smallbusiness@village.gurnee.il.us.

Village Staff will provide written notification to the applicant stating whether the application was approved as submitted, approved with changes or rejected.

Yes, any project, within the capital grant guidelines, completed after January 1, 2020 may be eligible. 

A W-9 will be required upon notification of grant award.

All questions can be directed to smallbusiness@village.gurnee.il.us.

The SBCG application can be found here. 

Previous awardees may reapply, with new projects, for another 1:1 matching grant up to $10,000.