The Village of Bartlett created the Bartlett Economic Development Assistance (BEDA) program in 2018 to attract private redevelopment and new businesses to otherwise vacant and underperforming properties throughout the community.  The program also assists existing businesses that expand their location in the village.

The program is intended to assist sales tax producing businesses and properties in opening and expanding in the village.  Sales tax producing is defined as a business that derives more than 50 percent of its revenues from retail and/or food and beverage sales at a brick-and-mortar location.

The BEDA program is funded by the village's share of video gaming revenues and provides for the distribution of grants of up to $50,000 with a focus on sales tax generating uses, including eating establishments and retail uses.

As of December 2023, 18 grants totaling more than $535,000 have been awarded, sparking more than $8 million in private investments.

Since the program's start, BEDA projects have included a dozen restaurants, a bakery, a microbrewery with rooftop seating, and the massive redevelopment of the former Bartlett Plaza into the Streets of Bartlett shopping center at Main Street and Devon Avenue.

Contact Economic Development Coordinator Tony Fradin, tfradin@bartlettil.gov or Assistant Village Administrator Scott Skrycki, sskrycki@bartlettil.gov at Village Hall to get the ball rolling on your 2024 application.

Eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• Façade renovations.
• Interior buildouts and/or rehabilitation including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, floors, ceilings, lighting, fire suppression, and equipment.
• Windows and doors
• Signs and awnings
• Outdoor dining areas (permanent improvements only, no tables and chairs)
• Landscaping improvements
• ADA compliance
• Improvements in energy efficiency
• Lighting
• Code-compliance related Items
• Construction services for eligible costs
• Parking lot replacement and striping
• Dumpster enclosures: new only

Non-eligible costs include but are not limited to:

• Interior painting for an existing renovation
• Point-of-sale systems, warranties, fire and burglary monitoring plans, taxes, TV mounts, cable, or TVs. No tables, chairs, tableware, cookware, or any items that can be removed or sold to satisfy a lien.
• Decorations
• Routine maintenance of buildings or business interiors
• Parking lot maintenance
• Disposal or clean-up costs
• Architectural fees, permit fees, financing costs, shipping fees.
• Moveable outdoor dining fixtures including tables, chairs, and umbrellas.
• Other non-eligible costs include other items that can be removed from the premises, i.e., “carried out the door.”