===== PDF PAGE 16 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 7 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan COMMISSION AGENDA DATE: 10/22/2024 STAFF REVIEW: Kelley Chrisse, AICP, CEcD SIGNATURE ITEM SUMMARY: The primary function of the Economic Development Commission is to make recommendations to the City Council of the City of West Chicago for the fostering and cultivation of an environment in which commercial, cultural and community enterprises will flourish within the corporate limits of the City of West Chicago. As such, the attached priorities are being presented for consideration. Nearly all the economic development priorities presented have been previously identified in various planning documents. There are numerous activities listed that are labeled as ongoing, meaning that they are currently being pursued, the activities are already underway, or the activity is not expected to cease within the proposed three-year timeframe. Note that there are many other tasks that are performed to promote economic development activities, but this document is intended to get concurrence on the priorities that should guide budget requests and initiatives for the next three years. The major priority categories include (in alphabetical order): • Activate businesses, community partners, residents & visitors; • Advocate for the interests of business & investment opportunities; • Attract new investment, customers, employees & residents; • Connect people, places & things; • Educate the City, businesses, community partners & the general public on economic development opportunities; and • Retain businesses, investment & community support. While this document will serve to guide activities over the coming years, it is expected to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure alignment with community goals. ACTION PROPOSED: Recommend acceptance of the proposed 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan. Attachment: 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan ===== PDF PAGE 17 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan The following Economic Development Priorities are intended to foster and cultivate an environment in which commercial, cultural and community enterprises will flourish within the corporate limits of the City of West Chicago Priority Categories Objectives Activity Initiatives/Activities Applicable Reference Document Year 1. Activate businesses, community partners, residents & visitors 1.1 Advocate for ways to activate the downtown Economic Development Plan Ongoing Join a network of downtown advocates to gain access to grant funding by becoming a Network Member of the 1.1A Economic Development Plan 2025 Illinois Main Street Association and attending the annual conference Encourage collaboration on shop local and/or promotional campaigns and coordinate seasonal decorations and other aesthetics to create a cohesive experience in the 1.1B Economic Development Plan 2025 downtown by meeting regularly (semi-annually or quarterly) with the downtown business and property owners Partner with private entities to coordinate the creation of 1.1C Strategic Plan 2026 tactical urbanism or "popup" events in the downtown Support cultivation of a vibrant arts scene in the 1.1D Economic Development Plan 2027 downtown Engage larger businesses to support the development of 1.2 community identity components, including public art, Comprehensive Plan 2027 landscaping, events and marketing 2. Advocate for the interests of business & investment opportunities Streamline business-related processes, including occupancy, 2.1 Economic Development Plan Ongoing registration & licensing Provide a clear roadmap for how businesses can access 2.1A Strategic Plan 2025 various business-related services on the website Align fees associated with various business-related services 2.1B with the cost of delivering services and priority business 2026 incentives, if applicable Evaluate the potential to integrate processes into a single 2.1C 2026 (or linked) online application If an integrated application process is a possibility, implement the consolidated or coordinated online 2.1D 2026 application process. Minimally, have all business-related applications online. ===== PDF PAGE 18 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan Priority Categories Objectives Activity Initiatives/Activities Applicable Reference Document Year Review business-related policies to create business friendly 2.2 Economic Development Plan Ongoing codes Nurture home-based businesses to support growth into 2.2A 2025 commercial locations via business registration initially Assist local entrepreneurs turning vacant buildings into 2.2B new businesses (adaptive reuse) by implementing the Comprehensive Plan 2025 Downtown Investment Program Expand the uses permitted in the downtown to include artisan manufacturing, arts and culture, child and elder 2.2C Comprehensive Plan 2025 care, medical services and shared workspaces, among others Respond to shifts in business industries by amending 2.2D Economic Development Plan 2026 business registration and licensing regulations Consider implementing density bonuses for downtown 2.2E Strategic Plan 2026 Transit-Oriented Development 3. Attract new investment, customers, employees & residents 3.1 Prepare downtown for investment opportunities Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan Ongoing Encourage continued property maintenance and private 3.1A investment, utilizing code enforcement efforts when Economic Development Plan 2025 appropriate Complete preliminary soils tests for blocks 1-5 in the 3.1B Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan 2025 downtown 3.1C Bid package for demolition and site prep (blocks 2, 3, 4) Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan 2025 3.1D Survey City-owned properties in Blocks 2, 3, 4 & 5 Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan 2025 3.2 Support the marketing of available properties Economic Development Plan Ongoing Promote the downtown as a priority for redevelopment & 3.2A Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan Ongoing new businesses Actively recruit housing developers by partnering with 3.2B Economic Development Plan Ongoing existing land owners to market sites Partner with existing property owners to support filling Economic Development Plan & 3.2C Ongoing vacant properties Strategic Plan Identify expanding retailers for specific vacant spaces 3.2C-1 to address variability in (and expected loss of) retail Strategic Plan 2025 sales by subscribing to Retail Lease Trac Attract new retailers & restaurants to the downtown as well as support existing retailers & restaurants in the 3.2C-2 Comprehensive Plan 2025 downtown via the revised Retail & Restaurant Grant Program ===== PDF PAGE 19 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan Priority Categories Objectives Activity Initiatives/Activities Applicable Reference Document Year Promote the redevelopment of the Mosaic Crossing Strategic Plan & Market Study for the 3.2D Shopping Center to include a mix of residential, office, 2026 Route 59-North Ave Study Area medical & hotel uses along with retail & restaurants Economic Development Plan & 3.3 Embrace manufacturing as the predominant sector Ongoing Strategic Plan Work with regional partners (Choose DuPage, GCEP, World 3.3A Business Chicago, Intersect Illinois) to increase Comprehensive Plan Ongoing opportunities to attract new manufacturers Support the manufacturing talent pipeline by participating Economic Development Plan & 3.3B in Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership 2025 Comprehensive Plan (GCAMP) Explore potential partnership with Western DuPage Economic Development Plan & Strategic 3.3C Chamber of Commerce to develop local, direct workforce 2026 Plan development support for existing manufacturers 4. Connect people, places & things Modernize infrastructure to support continued investment & 4.1 Economic Development Plan Ongoing attract businesses Consider the use of development incentives & public 4.1A financing tools to make roadway & infrastructure Strategic Plan Ongoing improvements Complete the reconstruction of Nuclear Dr and 4.1A-1 2022 Pavement Management Report 2025 Northwest Ave Implement infrastructure and streetscape improvements in the downtown with assistance from Economic Development Plan & 4.1A-2 2025 Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Captial Grant & Central-Main St Redevelopment Plan ITEP Evaluate coordinating economic development efforts with 4.1B capital improvements to mark each corridor in a distinctive Strategic Plan 2026 manner Evaluate opportunities to install pedestrian safety and traffic calming techniques at the Neltnor Blvd and 4.1B-1 Strategic Plan 2026 Washington & Main St intersections, including wayfinding signage Evaluate the community's sidewalk & trail connectivity as well as street lighting coverage to assess the 4.1B-2 Strategic Plan 2026 priorities for improvements to public safety & community appearance ===== PDF PAGE 20 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan Priority Categories Objectives Activity Initiatives/Activities Applicable Reference Document Year Create opportunities for businesses to connect with capital 4.2 Comprehensive Plan Ongoing providers Coordinate match-making events to bring together 4.2A entrepreneurs and local investors, particularly to fill vacant Economic Development Plan 2025 spaces in the downtown Connect small businesses to capital opportunities, 4.2B including microfinance organizations, community Comprehensive Plan 2025 development financial institutions & community banks 5. Educate the City, businesses, community partners and general public on economic development opportunities Create a reliable online resource for economic & business 5.1 Strategic Plan 2025 development activities Provide a comprehensive webpage for all business and 5.1A economic development services and resources by Strategic Plan 2025 redesigning the current page Consider creating a community job board as a one-stop 5.1B Comprehensive Plan 2027 shop for employment within the City Evaluate parking minimums, particularly on Roosevelt Rd, to 5.2 Strategic Plan 2025 identify opportunities for outlot development on existing sites Provide greater opportunities for the general public to learn 5.3 Comprehensive Plan 2025 about businesses in the community Publicize monthly business spotlight articles across various 5.3A Comprehensive Plan 2025 City communications channels Create a dining & shopping guide to be distributed in print 5.3B Comprehensive Plan 2026 to new businesses as part of a Shop Local Program 5.3C Create an online business directory to promote Shop Local Comprehensive Plan 2026 Coordinate workshops and events with community partners to provide information on investment, potential funding 5.4 Comprehensive Plan 2025 opportunities, and budgeting techniques for local owners, entrepreneurs & residents 5.4A Schedule quarterly workshops initially Comprehensive Plan 2025 Pursue partnerships with the Mexican Cultural Center DuPage, Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 5.4B Comprehensive Plan 2025 and Casa Michoacan to provide support for the Latino business community Evaluate the potential for creating a business incubator and/or Economic Development Plan & 5.5 2026 accelerator program Strategic Plan ===== PDF PAGE 21 ===== [Extraction: embedded PDF text] 2025-2027 Economic Development Work Plan Priority Categories Objectives Activity Initiatives/Activities Applicable Reference Document Year 6. Retain businesses, investment & community support 6.1 Regularly visit businesses in the community Comprehensive Plan & Strategic Plan Ongoing Prioritize meeting with businesses that play a critical role in the economy, including top sales tax revenue 6.1A Comprehensive Plan 2025 generators, top property tax payers, largest employers, downtown businesses, etc. Host an annual event with manufacturers to understand Economic Development Plan & 6.1B existing challenges within the manufacturing industry and 2025 Comprehensive Plan provide business development resources Conduct regular business surveys to identify warning flags for business relocation or expansion, receive feedback on 6.2 Comprehensive Plan Ongoing programs & practices, and maintain ongoing communications with owners & managers Include in the annual Business Registration Form - consider 6.2A reducing fee for voluntary completion of the survey 2025 questions Coordinate regional business owner meetings (downtown, Roosevelt Rd, North Ave at Neltnor Blvd, industrial parks) 6.2B Comprehensive Plan & Strategic Plan 2025 to support business retention and provide networking opportunities for the business owners Provide regular communication with the business community 6.3 through the use of social media, business community Comprehensive Plan Ongoing newsletters & incorporate this on the EconDev website Update on new businesses, development progress, business accomplishments, financial considerations, 6.3A Economic Development Plan Ongoing business development workshops & community engagement opportunities 6.4 Assemble workforce development statistics & share resources Comprehensive Plan 2025 Establish a formal Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) 6.5 Economic Development Plan 2026 program