Lindenhurst leaders offer economic help for local businesses
To assist in the recovery of the local economy after the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lindenhurst village board has developed an assistance program aimed at improving the vitality of the village's small businesses.
The Lindenhurst Economic Assistance Program, or "LEAP," will help businesses within the community, or those companies looking to relocate to Lindenhurst, with the cost of facade improvements or other build-out improvements.
Retail and restaurant businesses may be eligible for 50/50 reimbursement of improvements up to $30,000. Other businesses may be eligible for reimbursements up to $20,000.
The village has identified up to $323,000 for the grant program, which will award eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Terms and conditions of the program may be found on the village website, www.lindenhurstil.org.
Unique to LEAP is the village's additional commitment to local businesses' networking and publicity. Along with the reimbursement program, the village board has also committed to covering the cost of a "Silver" membership to the Lake Villa/Lindenhurst/Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for Lindenhurst businesses for the period of a year.
Silver memberships provide members with access to professional development seminars, inclusion in the annual community guide and countless other promotional and advertising opportunities.
"Providing the funding for this membership delivers to our local businesses a network of business leaders who can help enhance the collective prospects of the local commercial economy," Mayor Dominic Marturano said.
"We also want to give our businesses the greatest opportunity for promotion as we inch toward normal after the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with our build-out reimbursement programs, the village's LEAP program is the village's robust effort of reinvestment in our business community and in the viability of our commercial areas."
For questions about the program, Lindenhurst business and commercial property owners can contact the village at mail@lindenhurstil.org or (847) 356-8252.