Financial Incentives

As part of the Lindenhurst Economic Assistance Program, the commercial, retail, and office grant is designed to strengthen business activity by attracting new retail businesses to Lindenhurst and assisting existing businesses.

• Retail 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.
• Bonuses of up to $5,000 in grant money are available for projects such as outdoor dining, outdoor gathering spaces, or HVAC improvements.
• Sales Tax Rebate grants of up to $20,000 are available to qualifying commercial projects.

As part of the Lindenhurst Economic Assistance Program, restaurant grants are designed to attract and support restaurants in Lindenhurst. Restaurant businesses are an integral part of the Lindenhurst community. Having convenient access to various eateries is important to the quality of life for area residents and the quality of experience for people visiting our community for various events and attractions. Convenient access to restaurants is also essential to attracting and retaining other types of businesses.

Grants will be available to qualified restaurants new to or expanding in the Village of Lindenhurst. The Village welcomes unique, one-of-a-kind restaurants as well as national franchise and corporate concepts. The program is open to full-service restaurants (table-side service), limited service (order w/ cashier, food brought to tables), and fast food (counter service or drive-up only).

• Restaurant businesses may be eligible for 50/50 reimbursement of improvements up to $30,000.
• Bonuses of up to $5,000 are available for projects such as outdoor dining, outdoor gathering spaces, or HVAC improvements.
• Sales Tax Rebate grants of up to $20,000 are available to qualifying restaurant projects.

As part of the Lindenhurst Economic Assistance Program, the Craft Beverage Incentive Program is designed to attract new breweries, distilleries, and other craft beverage manufacturers into Lindenhurst.

• Breweries and Distilleries may be eligible for reimbursements up to $20,000. If a restaurant is included, the brewery or distillery may be eligible for 50/50 reimbursement of improvements up to $30,000.
• Bonuses of up to $5,000 are available for projects such as outdoor dining, outdoor gathering spaces, or HVAC improvements.
• Sales Tax Rebate grants of up to $20,000 are available to qualifying commercial projects.

As part of the Lindenhurst Economic Assistance Program, the façade, site, and sign improvement incentive program are intended to promote revitalization in the development areas by providing financial assistance to building owners for exterior improvements to existing commercial, office and restaurant buildings. Improvements may include signs, exterior building improvements, parking lot resurfacing, new landscaping, and greenspaces.

• 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.

Bonuses of up to $5,000 are available for projects such as outdoor dining, and outdoor gathering spaces.

Attracting, retaining, or expanding businesses for the purpose of improving the Village’s economic base is the key criterion to qualify for a Sales Tax incentive. The Village of Lindenhurst will consider using sales tax incentives to assist private developments in those circumstances where the proposed private projects show that significant amounts of sales tax revenue and economic activity will be realized. Sales tax incentives are based on a percentage of gross sales. For more information, please view the LEAP Application. 

Lindenhurst has one designated TIF District – Grand Avenue TIF District. Property Tax revenues generated by improvements in designated TIF areas can be invested back into the district for use in land acquisition, site preparation, building rehabilitation, and public improvements and to help you get your business off the ground. Through our comprehensive TIF Incentive program, Lindenhurst provides redevelopment assistance for eligible projects to support property improvement and building activities, including acquisition, architectural design, demolition, engineering, infrastructure, interior remodeling, planning, signage, and site work.

Property owners and businesses can also use TIF funds to make needed improvements consistent with Village's codes and policies.

Visit the Grand Avenue TIF District 

By working with the state's lending community and venture capitalists, Advantage Illinois helps entrepreneurs and small businesses start-up or expand. Lenders assist businesses in identifying the right program. Lenders assist businesses in determining the right Advantage Illinois program:

• Standard Participation Loan Program (PLP) – designed to enable small businesses to obtain medium to long-term financing, in the form of term loans, to help grow and expand their businesses. Department participation is subordinated to the lender and has a "below market" interest rate.
• Minority/Women/Disabled/Veteran-Owned Businesses – similar to Standard PLP; however, the amount of financial support may range depending on loan term, MWDV majority control/ownership.
• Revolving Line of Credit (RLOC PLP) – similar to Standard PLP except in the form of a revolving line of credit. The maximum term is two years, and further support requires reapplication.

For more information, please visit the DCEO's Advantage Illinois page. 

This program is similar to Advantage Illinois, where there is a set group of approved lenders. In this case, lenders are Community Development Companies. For more information on the 504 Loan Program, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website. 

Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois' EDGE program provides annual corporate tax credits to qualifying businesses which support job creation, capital investment and improve the standard of living for all Illinois residents. For more information, please visit the DCEO page for the EDGE program. 

The Illinois Finance Authority issues tax-exempt IRB's on behalf of manufacturing companies to finance the acquisition of land, buildings, and equipment. IRB financing benefits include lower interest rates, 100% financing of project costs, and federal income tax exemption for interest. For more information, please visit the Illinois Finance Authority's website. 

In this program, borrowers work with a local SBA office to find non-profit or community-based organizations that can provide loans up to $50,000. For more information, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration website. 

This program allows borrowers to choose their lender and is the most versatile of the SBA loan programs. These loans are often compared to PPP loans except they are non-forgivable. For more information, please visit the U.S. Small Business Association website.