Greater Chatham is comprised of four Chicago southside neighborhoods: Avalon Park, Auburn Gresham, Chatham and Greater Grand Crossing. It has 120,000 residents living in 50,000 households. This 15-square-mile area is home to over 5,000 businesses that employ 30,000 people and draw two million visitors each year. Since the 1950s, it has been a proudly mixed-wage, predominantly Black, stable, and storied community.
Greater Chatham Initiative drives neighborhood economic growth by supporting entrepreneurs, revitalizing commercial corridors, and expanding opportunities across the Greater Chatham area. Our approach blends business development, community investment, and real-world problem-solving to help local firms thrive. We strengthen high-impact corridors like 75th Street’s “Restaurant Row,” connect business owners to resources, and help attract investment that fuels long-term stability. Whether you’re launching a new venture or growing an existing one, we’re here to support your success across Chicago’s South Side.
