Lombard approves changes to retail grant

Applicants for Lombard’s downtown retail business grant will receive funding through a slightly different program in the future.

Lombard village board members Thursday approved changes to the program that make recipients eligible to receive only half the funding upfront.

Businesses still can receive a total of $20,000 and can use the funding for capital costs such as accessibility improvements and sprinkler systems or soft costs such as moving expenses or visual merchandising.

The changes also attach a forgivable lien to the grant. The lien will equal half the amount granted for capital costs, up to a maximum of $7,500. One-fifth of the lien amount will be forgiven each year the business operates at the same location.

Property owners and business owners in the village’s two downtown tax increment financing districts can apply for the grant by visiting the community development section of the village’s website, villageoflombard.org.