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Lisle trustees outline objectives for redesigned business grant program
Summary
Trustees discussed goals for a revised business grant program — including diversification, area-targeting, retention, incubators and reviewing funding sources — and asked staff to return with proposal options by late July or early August.
The Village of Lisle Committee of the Whole spent the bulk of its June 2 meeting defining objectives for a potential redesign of the village’s business grant program, focusing on geographic targeting, economic diversification and options for grant size and funding source.
Mayor Mullin summarized trustees’ priorities and told staff he would consolidate the board’s input. “For me, one of the top priorities is that diversification to be more resilient in economic times,” the mayor said, adding that the board wants to support business retention, help businesses “get to the next level,” and explore incubator concepts to lower startup barriers for micro businesses.
Trustees offered specific suggestions: Trustee Duffy urged adoption of best practices, targeted programs for downtown and other corridors, and measures to diversify business types. Trustee Lesniak said the program is funded by the hotel‑motel tax and asked staff to meet with hotel owners and the DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau to assess hotel health because the tax is a primary funding source. Trustee Simon and others recommended outreach to existing businesses and clearer, simpler grant packaging to reduce administrative complexity for applicants.
Trustees debated program design choices such as whether to prioritize sales‑tax generators or experiential, non‑sales businesses that can boost surrounding commercial activity. Trustee Grau (in the discussion) and others said an “out of the box” approach could include experiential venues — for example, converting underused buildings to destinations — while Trustee Olsen suggested the board examine which revenue source (hotelmotel tax, sales tax or a combination) best aligns with different grant objectives.
Board members also proposed concrete ideas that staff could evaluate: a small‑business incubator or “nursery” for startups, grant packages that combine façade and tenant‑buildout assistance, landlord‑facing incentives such as EV‑charging infrastructure in shopping centers, and improved online transparency about grant opportunities. Trustees asked the village to weigh big grants versus many small awards and to consider the office corridor as well as downtown retail.
Staff timeline and direction: Village staff said they would review past awards, consult recipients and prepare draft options. Trustees and staff agreed a reasonable return timeline is the second meeting in July or the first meeting in August for a follow-up discussion rather than an immediate decision.
No formal vote was taken; the discussion produced direction for staff to prepare draft program designs and criteria for board review.
