Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that seven local businesses and neighborhood organizations from Chicago’s South, West and Southwest sides will receive $8.8 million as part of the City’s latest round of Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant awards. The program is designed to catalyze business activity along the commercial corridors, building up amenities and delivering services or products that all communities deserve. “Enlace Chicago is thrilled about this investment in our neighborhood, and the opportunity to work with more Little Village residents, finding creative ways to market their talents, while improving their economic status,” said Katya Nuques, executive director for Enlace Chicago. Awardees include:

Austin Fine Arts Center at 5608 W. Washington Blvd in the Austin neighborhood

Bronzeville Salon Suites at 80 E. Pershing Road in the Douglas Park neighborhood

Enlace Chicago at 2759 S. Harding Ave in the South Lawndale neighborhood

Home Run Inn Pizza Inc. at 4254 W. 31st St in the South Lawndale neighborhood

Leamington Foods at 3250 W. Roosevelt Road in the North Lawndale neighborhood

Sunshine Gospel Ministries at 360-76 E. 61st St in the Washington Park neighborhood

SYTE Corp. at 6793 S. South Chicago Ave. in the Woodlawn neighborhood

The projects were selected based on neighborhood needs, their potential to help catalyze nearby investments, the experience and financial capacity of the applicants, and overall viability, among other criteria. Total project costs are estimated at $19.6 million. More information is available at www.neighborhoodopportunityfund.com