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Economic Development Committee presents 2025 accomplishments, four storefront grants
Summary
Chris Valdez, chair of Brookfield’s Economic Development Committee, reported the commission awarded four property improvement grants in 2025, reviewed the rental‑registration and incentive policies, and referred branding work to outside consultants; the board thanked the commission and posed no objections.
Chris Valdez, chair of the village Economic Development Committee, presented the commission’s 2025 annual report to the Village Board Committee of the Whole on Feb. 23.
Valdez said the committee awarded four property improvement (PIP) grants in 2025 to local businesses — Bill’s Place, Hop District, Locomoca and Tishler’s — to support storefront signage and visibility improvements. He said the EDC reviewed applicants and provided guidance on how businesses could use village PIP funds and that the committee saw visible improvements as a result.
Valdez also told trustees the committee reviewed several policies and programs last year, including the rental registration program and an economic incentive policy intended to guide how businesses locate in Brookfield. Much of the village’s marketing and branding work, Valdez said, was referred outside the EDC because the scope exceeded the commission’s purview.
Valdez reviewed neighborhood programs the commission supports, including the Brookfield Shops program and the shop‑local gift card initiative, noting the gift‑card program will be discontinued at the village level and supported through the EDC going forward. He said the EDC continues planning for events and partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce, including a July 22 event that the committee expects to promote local businesses.
President Garvey and trustees thanked Valdez and the commission for their time and work. No formal board action was taken on the report at the meeting; Valdez said the EDC would continue work into 2026.
