December 08, 2023

Duckworth Meets with The Magnificent Mile Association to Discuss Economic Development in Chicago

 

[CHICAGO, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today met with leaders at The Magnificent Mile Association to discuss economic development and tourism in Chicago. Duckworth met with The Magnificent Mile Association President and CEO Kimberly Bares and Board Chair Justine Fedak, discussing the City of Chicago’s Small Business Storefront Activation program, funding made possible through the American Rescue Plan that Duckworth supported. Photos from today’s meetings are available on the Senator’s website. 

“The Magnificent Mile is one of Chicago’s most vibrant and iconic destinations,” Duckworth said. “As brick and mortar retail continues to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19, the work of organizations like The Magnificent Mile Association is crucial in helping support Chicago’s position as a global tourism leader and drive our city and state’s economic power. I was proud to help secure funding in the American Rescue Plan for the Business Storefront Activation program, and I’ll keep working to support economic development in Chicago and across our state.” 

“We were honored to welcome Senator Duckworth to The Magnificent Mile today,” Bares said. “The Business Storefront Activation program has been instrumental in helping to revitalize our district, attracting exciting new retailers to Michigan Avenue and generating greater visitor interest.”

“We are committed to continued collaboration with Senator Duckworth and her staff to drive additional storefront activations and district revitalization,” Fedak said.

In voting for the American Rescue Plan Act, Duckworth supported significant funding for state and local governments to help recover from the impacts of COVID-19, including money for the activation of vacant storefronts. This provided funding for the City of Chicago’s Small Business Storefront Activation program, which awarded funds to 17 neighborhood development organizations, including The Magnificent Mile Association. 

The Magnificent Mile Association is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing the vibrant district of North Michigan Avenue in Chicago. This stretch of urban landscape welcomes over 15 million visitors annually, represents 21 percent of all city employment and is home to over 120,000 residents. In addition to regional and international marketing and planning popular consumer programming year-round, the Association leads district planning and beautification and hosts networking opportunities. The Association’s 500 members include real estate properties, retailers, hotels, restaurants, attraction and entertainment establishments, museums, hospitals, universities, residential properties and various professional services. 

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