Deciding on Des Plaines, always a wise choice
There are many reasons why thousands of businesses choose to call Des Plaines home. The city enjoys a convenient location, with a bustling downtown and commercial corridors, a strong industrial and manufacturing presence, extensive transportation networks and easy access to O’Hare International Airport. Des Plaines also boasts two Metra Stations where you can board a train that will get you to downtown Chicago in about 30 minutes.
Also, city leaders and staff have consistently worked to improve our business licensing and entitlement process to help individuals and groups looking to invest in our city. In fact, we have reached over $650,000,000 in new projects that are in the pipeline, under construction or recently completed. Additionally, in 2018, there were over 120 new, expanded or relocated businesses that helped filled 880,000 square feet of newly constructed and available space. These projects have help create thousands of new construction jobs and permanent employment opportunities.
Think of the city’s economic development staff as your business concierge, ready to connect you and your business goals to unique incentives and support services, making it easier for new and existing businesses to thrive. Some of these programs include:
$100,000 Restaurant Build-out Incentive
Offered to new restaurants that open a location in the downtown district.
Business Assistance Grants
The City of Des Plaines offers five business assistance grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the program.
Business Support Services
Valuable introductions to organizations that are in the business of assisting your business.
The City of Des Plaines is proactively enhancing the community by offering a variety of business assistance programs, renovating the iconic Des Plaines Theatre and working with developers to bring new residential, commercial, hospitality and industrial projects to Des Plaines. The city’s $100,000 Restaurant District Grant is one of its premier offerings to attract new dining establishments to the downtown district.
If you are aware of any business opportunities that would thrive in Des Plaines, have any questions about the City’s Business Assistance Programs, or you need additional information, contact Patrick Ainsworth, Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Des Plaines, at (847) 391-5384, or pmainsworth@desplaines.org.