Business Resources

The City of Litchfield is committed to assisting every business to succeed within our community. 

Business Assistance

Business assistance is available through the Litchfield Economic Development Office. The City can provide information on:

  • Available resources
  • Business programs 
  • Community information 

Downtown Façade Program

The City of Litchfield addresses the maintenance and rehabilitation needs of building facades in the TIF District by offering Façade Grants to interested, qualified building and business owners. The study area is east of the I-55 interchange and both Historic and Old Route 66. 

About the Program

This program is focused on the State Street Corridor, between Corwin to the north and Sargent to the south. The program expands well beyond State Street to both the east and the west. The eastern-most boundary of the program is Van Buren and it spans as far west as the railroad tracks. Check out our TIF District Map (PDF) regarding redevelopment area boundaries.

Help Us Update Our Downtown Area

The Downtown Façade Program is designed to make a significant impact on the look of the downtown area.  The following items conforming to the Downtown Design Guidelines (PDF) are all covered under this program:

  • Awnings
  • Front and Side Facades
  • Lighting
  • Masonry
  • Painting 
  • Storefronts 

Contact Us

To learn more about the Downtown Facade Program, please contact Tonya Flannery, Economic Development Director at 217-324-8151 or via email.  An application can also be found and filled out online.

Why Do Business in Litchfield?

The City of Litchfield competes with our neighboring cities and states for business development, so we offer attractive incentive programs to highlight the importance of our community's location and our regional influence. We currently offer a variety of incentives that can be customized as needed.

Long Term General Assistance

We offer assistance based on individual project needs. Consideration will be given for project costs such as acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, and equipment for projects meeting City terms, job commitments, and investment requirements. Requests should be made through the Economic Development Office.

Revolving Loan

The City of Litchfield can provide a low-interest loan for eligible project costs. The loan amount and investment are based on jobs created or retained based on program requirements.

Enterprise Zone Property Tax Abatement

We have been granted Enterprise Zone status for industrial and commercial development. We currently offer abatement of real estate taxes on an improvement's increased assessment to the property based on a project cost. The abatement percentage and terms are considered upon investment.

Enterprise Zone Sales Tax Abatement

Sales Tax exemption is permitted on building materials to be used in an Enterprise Zone. Materials must be permanently affixed to the property and must be purchased from a qualified retail supplier.

To apply online, please visit our online form.

You may also print and return your application (PDF).

TIF Districts

TIF funds may be used for costs associated with the development or redevelopment of property within the TIF Districts, allowing blighted, declining, and underperforming areas to again become viable, and allowing these areas to compete with vacant land at the edge of urban areas.

The eligible uses for TIF funds are provided in Illinois' Tax Allocation Redevelopment Act (65 ILCS 5/11-74.4-1 through 11-74.4-11): the TIF Act.

More information on eligibility and the benefits of the TIF Districts can be obtained through the Economic Development Office.

State of Illinois Assistance

The State offers other potential benefits available to businesses including employer training incentives, job tax credits, investment tax credits, and certain loan programs.