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Grow Your Business in Skokie!
Downtown Skokie continues to grow. A Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District (established by the Village in 1990), plus the adoption of a long-term redevelopment strategy began the initiative to rejuvenate Downtown Skokie in the mid 1990's. Click here for a copy of the Downtown Skokie TIF District Redevelopment plan. As a result, new, mixed-use developments combining residential and commercial space were added to Downtown during the last decade. A fresh streetscape and commercial renovation program has given Downtown a new appearance and vitality that is attracting new retailers, restaurants, services, and residents to the area. For more complete demographic and planning information regarding Downtown Skokie, click here.
The recent development of the former G.D. Searle/ Pfizer campus, the 23 acre Illinois Science + Technology Park (IS + TP), is expected to bring more than 4000 jobs to Skokie and generate billions of dollars in statewide economic activity. The Village works closely with the Forest City Enterprises the park developers to promote its overall benefits and to create synergies between the Park's 20+ tenants (currently representing over 1,200 employees) and Downtown businesses. For more information on the Illinois Science + Technology Park, click here.
Business Incentives
Skokie has designed a special package of business retention and attraction incentives to increase commercial activity in the Downtown area. To view eligible properties for this assistance click here. Retail and restaurant establishments are the primary focus of these incentives and can receive up to $100,000 for a new or expanded Downtown Skokie location. Available spaces await your business, and "bonuses" are also available to your real estate brokers. Please check out our Available Property Interactive site by clicking here. Eligible properties must be located in the Downtown area. Incentives are available through 2014 and are subject to availability. To learn more about the Village of Skokie's Incentive Programs for Downtown, click here. For a complete application for the Downtown Exterior Facade/Interior Renovation program, please click here.
Through thoughtful planning and an overall spirit of cooperation, Skokie continues to grow into a thriving center of commerce. Skokie's combination of industrial activity, retail sales, office/research firms and extensive professional services is virtually unparalleled in suburban Chicago. The reinvention of Downtown will be our next Skokie success story!
