Villa Park business owners have until Oct. 30 to tell the village what they need to grow.
The Villa Park Growth Commission opened an online survey asking commercial owners and tenants about their current status and investment plans over the next one to three years. It also asks what kind of help would make those investments easier. The survey takes about two minutes.
One question gauges how familiar businesses are with Villa Park's Tax Increment Financing grant programs. The village launched three TIF grants in January 2025 covering façade, tenant and site improvements for commercial properties inside the village's five active TIF districts. Most commercial properties in Villa Park fall within those districts, according to a Growth Commission workshop announcement in September.
The grants reimburse up to 50% of eligible project costs. Individual awards range from $2,500 to $25,000 per program, and a single applicant can qualify for up to $75,000 across all three. Eligible expenses include architectural fees, permits, materials and labor. Permit fees are fully reimbursable beyond the $25,000 cap.
Façade grants cover work such as masonry, painting, storefront systems, awnings and signage. Site grants cover parking-lot replacement, landscaping and ADA improvements. Tenant grants support interior work for restaurants, retailers and arts venues, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC and flooring.
Village President Kevin Patrick restructured several village commissions after taking office in May 2025, creating the Growth Commission alongside the Garden Village Commission and Recreation Commission. In the village's newsletter published in July 2025, Patrick described the new bodies as "think tanks that help drive smart decisions, community-based planning, and economic growth."
The Growth Commission held a free Small Business Workshop on Sept. 24 at the Villa Park Recreation Center, 320 E. Wildwood Ave. Representatives from the College of DuPage's Business Development Center discussed grant programs and free services, including the Illinois Small Business Development Center and the Illinois APEX Accelerator.
The survey is the commission's latest outreach effort. Business owners who want to discuss expansion plans or grant applications can leave contact information for village follow-up. The Community and Economic Development Department is reachable at (630) 433-4300.
