ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new program called ‘Spaces to Places,’ designed to boost small businesses and fill empty storefronts, is set to go before the Rockford City Council for approval next week. The initiative has already received approval from the Planning and Development Committee.
The ‘Spaces to Places’ program aims to provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs seeking to establish brick-and-mortar stores. It would reimburse businesses for their security deposit and half of their monthly rent for up to one year. Each participating business could save up to $20,000 through the program, which has a total budget of $300,000. City of Rockford Economic Development Director Anna Garrison said the program seeks to create “vibrant spaces.” “Vibrancy is the word that’s used often, but that’s one of the pieces of this program it’s going to create, vibrant spaces,” Garrison said.
The program serves a dual purpose by allowing small businesses to save money as they move into a physical store location and by addressing what some call vacant “eyesore” storefronts…