Economic Development Programs: City of Geneva, Illinois Economic Development

Past Ten Years: $200,000 Public Grant Funds has served to stimulate $3M in Private Investment in Commercial Properties in Downtown Geneva Maintaining/Enhancing Physical Character of Downtown

Retail Sales Tax Reimbursement Agreements:

Past Ten Years : City has committed approximately $3m in Reimbursement Disbursements
Estimating approximately $10M to total new retail Sales Tax Revenue
Enticed National and Regional Retailers
Quid Pro Quo re: Site and Building Enhancements

Tax Increment Financing District Funding (Riverfront and ESS TIF Districts)

Past Ten Years: $5.2M TIF Funding has stimulated $34M in Private Investment
16 New Residential Units (includes 52 senior housing units)

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts

The East State Street TIF District

The City of Geneva East Side Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District was created in 2000 to revitalize properties along East State Street from School Street to Longview Drive. Successful redevelopment projects in this 34 acre TIF District include: Muchie "P's", Dairy Queen, Valley Animal Hospital, and the new Aldi's and CVS Pharmacy at East Side Drive.

Since its inception, there has been in excess of sixty thousand (60,000) square feet of new commercial construction within the district. The City stands ready to assist in the further redevelopment of this critical commercial corridor. Created in 2000 with a base value of $3,263,860, the value of the properties in the district increased to $6,798,157 in 2007.

Request for redelopment projects can be directed to City Economic Development Director, Ellen Divita at 630-232-7449 or email edivita@geneva.il.us

Façade Improvement Grant Program NOT FUNDED FOR 2009-2010

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The City has a Façade Improvement/Historic Preservation Matching Grant Program wherein local business properties are eligible for exterior building improvement matching grants of up to $5,000 (limited number of earmarked, exceptional projects may be eligible for funds exceeding $5,000). An application with the required attachments needs to be approved prior to start of any work. The City's annual budget for this program ranges between $25,000 to $50,000. The City has also funded facade improvements to buildings located within the City's designated Tax Increment Financing District through TIF funds.

The City has allocated $5000 from the Facade Improvement Grant Program this fiscal year for a Sign Grant Program designed to assist building owners or responsible tenants with new signs for commercial businesses within downtown Geneva. The program is a one-time 50% matching grant program per business owner with a maximum of $500 awarded. Eligible improvements may include: signs, awning with signage and mural with text (acting as business signage). An application with required attachments needs to filed, reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (if required) and must comply with the City of Geneva's Building Codes prior to submittal to the Geneva Downtown Partnership for their recommendation to City Council for approval. No work shall begin prior to approval and signing of grant agreement.

City of Geneva Electric Utility

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The City operates it own electric utility. Electricity is provided through a wholesale purchase agreement with Wisconsin Electric Power Company and at rates to commercial and industrial users significantly lower than those paid by similar users in surrounding communities. Further, the City has recently completed the construction of a freestanding, co-generation plant. This plant, owned and operated by the City of Geneva, will provide City electric utility users dependable and affordable electricity throughout the year.

The Geneva Downtown Partnership

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The Geneva Downtown Partnership serves as an advisory committee to the City Council regarding expansions and enhancement of the business community; monitor status of business growth; design, organization and promoting the Downtown Business District while recruiting and retaining businesses. The Committee consist of 9 members, 5 ex-officio members and Staff Liaison, Paul Evans, Business Development Specialist .

The current members appointed by Mayor Burns:

Jane Briner
Steve Burnham
Larry Kasper
Scott Lebin
Pattie Rambo
Jennifer Piazza
Donna Vehaeghe

Persimmon Tree
The Paper Merchant
Town & Country Gardens
Lebin Financial Planning
Miscella
Herrington Inn & Spa
We're Making Faces

Ex-Officio:
Sam Hill
Mary Anne Diggory
Jean Gaines
Dave Oberg
Brad Koontz

Alderman
Cultural Arts Commissioner
Chamber of Commerce
Geneva History Center
SPAC

Some of the projects completed to date are the new Downtown Geneva Gateway Signage, the City Website Redevelopment, Unity Building Lighting, RiverPark Lighting Project and on-going downtown lighting initiatives, and the Facade Grant Program.

Current Downtown Partnership Meeting Agenda

Past Downtown Partnership Meeting Agendas and Minutes

"Application for Appointment"

Past Public Meeting Audio & Video

Channel 10

City Code

Freedom of Information Act

Disclaimers

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