Economic Development

The City of Crystal Lake is committed to maintaining an attractive business climate. The City works closely with developers, business owners, lending institutions and non-profit agencies to facilitate the development and enhancement of the business community. The City is responsive to the needs of businesses and allocates resources to promote a successful, safe, clean, and attractive environment.

Our services
The primary Economic Development objectives of the City’s Planning and Economic Development Department include business attraction, promotion, and retention, as well as business and community relations. With the support and guidance of the City Council and the Economic Development Committee, the City has developed an agressive strategy for economic development. 

Business Support and Information. As the first-stop for existing and prospective Crystal Lake businesses, the Planning & Economic Development Department is the go-to department for information on how and where to get started in Crystal Lake. The Department serves the business community by managing streamlined entitlement procedures that allow businesses to expeditiously pursue their endeavors. 

Site Selection.  The Planning & Economic Development Department maintains an inventory of available land and building space that can be used to connect prospective businesses with opportunities in Crystal Lake.  We provide contact information and specific data regarding demographics, utilities, and incentives that are available for new development and redevelopment.  The City also distibutes this information to interested businesses through mailings, e-mail blasts, websites, and trade-shows exhibits. For retail leasing and development opportunities, visit www.crystallakeretail.com.

Attraction. The Planning & Economic Development Department attends and participates in commercial, industrial, and real estate trade shows, including those hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers. These events, along with the City's agreesive recruitment efforts provide networking opportunities for the City to connect with shopping center developers, commercial realtors, tenant representatives, and businesses looking for opportunities in Crystal Lake.

Incentives. The City of Crystal Lake recognizes the importance of supporting the development and enhancement of the business community and has developed a comprehensive incentives program to provide finanical assistance to encourage business investment.

Business Retention. The Planning & Economic Development Department hosts a business retention program whereby City staff, elected and appointed representatives connect with our existing business owners in an effort to ascertain how businesses are performing and to find out what their needs and future goals are. 

On-line Resources. This City recognizes that many businesses begin their site selection process using on-line resources. For that reason, the Planning and Economic Development Department maintains several on-line resources that provide information regarding available land, space for lease, demographics, resources, and contact information, as well as statistical data and resources that are important to expanding businesses. In addition to this website, the City hosts www.crystallakeretail.com.

I Shop Crystal Lake.  The City hosts a “shop local” marketing program called I Shop Crystal Lake  that is geared towards promoting the available shopping and dining opportunities in Crystal Lake as well as providing business support services through cooperative marketing and advertising.  I Shop Crystal Lake now offers a shopper rewards program to provide consumers with tangible benefits for shopping at Crystal Lake retailers, restaurants, and service providers.  Check it out at www.ishopcl.com.