Berwyn Development Corporation: 2026 Q1 Report

2026 QUARTERLY REPORT 1ST QUARTER | JANUARY - MARCH

3322 S Oak Park Ave, 2nd Fl | Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-8100 | info@berwyn.net | Berwyn.net @BerwynDevelopmentCorp @BerwynDevCorp @Berwyn Development Corporation

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PAGE 1

As the new Executive Director of the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC), I’m pleased to share our first quarterly report for 2026 and outline the direction we are setting for the year ahead.

Berwyn has strong fundamentals; a great location, a robust entrepreneurial business, and a spirited and proud community. Our role at the BDC is to tap into these strengths to bring this into visible progress on the ground.

In Q1, we focused on strengthening our economic development pipeline and sharpening our approach to business engagement. That means being more proactive in how we recruit, retain, and support our businesses across our corridors. We are placing a renewed emphasis on direct outreach, relationship-building, and identifying opportunities before they become challenges.

We also continue to invest in entrepreneurship as a long-term growth strategy. Our small business and retail incubation efforts remain a critical entry point for new ideas and local ownership. At the same time, we are working to better connect these entrepreneurs to capital, space, and mentorships so they can scale and succeed in Berwyn.

Strategically, we are advancing key initiatives that will shape the City’s future. We made progress on the Roosevelt Road Corridor Plan in partnership with the Village of Oak Park and have renewed our focus on redevelopment opportunities throughout our TIF districts. These efforts allow us to execute and deliver projects that strengthen our tax base and activate underutilized properties.

Internally, we are building a culture that values speed, collaboration, and ownership. The expectation is clear: move with purpose, support one another, stay focused on results, and be visible leaders in the community.

Berwyn has significant opportunities ahead, and the BDC is committed to partnering in that progress with energy, discipline, and intent.

Sincerely,

Brian Crowe | Executive Director

Berwyn Shops

The Berwyn Shops are off to a strong start. February marked the graduation of the 2025 cohort and the pitch competition for the 2026 cohort. 11 community members came together to listen to pitches, test sample products, review business plans, and select the final 12 vendors.

Since then, the 2026 vendors have begun attending business training, designing their shops, and planning events for the year. The Shops opened May 1st, 2026.

2026 TIMELINE JANUARY - MARCH

JAN

FEB

The Big But Book Debut BDC Annual Meeting Community Award Recognition at Council Meeting Route 66 Car Show Committee Kick-Off Publication of the 2025 Vacant Properties Report Women in Business Jury Committee Selected - Berwyn Shops Cook County Small Business Source 2025 Kick Off BDC Updates at the January 27th Committee of the Whole Renewal of the Finish Line Grant Participation in CMAP Railroad Grade Crossing Study Vendor Pitch Workshop - Berwyn Shops Event

Jury Workshop - Berwyn Shops Event Women in Business Speed Networking Business After Hours 2025 Cohort Graduation - Berwyn Shops Event Vendor Selection Day - Berwyn Shops Event 2026 Cohort Orientation - Berwyn Shops Event 2025 Finish Line Grant Recipients recognized at Council Meeting Route 66 Car Show Committee Meeting Berwyn Magazine February 2026 Edition Released Roosevelt Road Corridor Study presented to Zoning, Planning, and Development Commission Freedom Middle School Rezoning

MARCH

Non-Profit Roundtable Networking Bingo Business After Hours Finding and Securing a Commercial Space in Berwyn Webinar 2026 Vendors Announced - Berwyn Shops Interior Design for Small Business - Berwyn Shops Event Item Swap and Inventory Day - Berwyn Shops Berwyn Shops Partnership Renewals Route 66 Car Show - Promotion Event at World of Wheels Completed Corridor Walks Route 66 Car Show Committee Meeting Mini Golf Pub Crawl news feature with WGN TV

PAGE PAGE12

Economic Development

BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION & THE CITY OF BERWYN

FLG Grant Spending Total Grant*: $984K

● Spent: $71K ● Committed: $135K ● Remaining: $778K *The total grant dollars include carryover funding from 2024 & 2025 projects, as well as the 2026 $250K allocations for Depot, Roosevelt, & Cermak/Harlem TIFs.

Business Assistance Sessions General Support Other 1.4% & Resources 5.8%

353

One-on-One Business Assistance Sessions

Funding & Incentives Navigation 13.5% Marketing Support 50.7%

253

Hours of Personalized Business Support

Berwyn Shops 23.8%

Q1 Events

1/6

Business Training Events

11

Total Events

316

Total Attendees PAGE PAGE33

CHAMBER

PAGE PAGE44

RETENTION

TOTAL MEMBERS

As Q1 concluded, the BDC continued to build on momentum in membership and programming. Chamber membership reached 245, with eight new members joining and a retention rate of 84%.

204

84%

245

EVENT ATTENDANCE

Board-Led Corridor Activation This quarter marked the launch of the Corridor Ambassador Program, led by our Board members. The program will strengthen business connections, increase outreach, and support continued growth along Berwyn’s commercial corridors.

Event attendance increased, with 204 attendees across networking events, business celebrations, and outreach efforts focused on strengthening connections and supporting local businesses.

BDC Annual Meeting This year’s Annual Meeting marked a turning point, drawing 135 participants! Business leaders and local legislators came together to forge new connections, honor outstanding community champions, and embrace a renewed vision focused on growth, collaboration, and the future of our Chamber.

MARKETING Newsletter Performance

2,713

The newsletter is a highperforming channel for sharing business resources, events, and updates.

50% Open Rate (15% above industry avg)

Subscribers

3% Click Rate

↑ +32 in Q1

(1% above industry avg)

Social Media Reach +626 New Followers

Facebook: 29,061 (+381)

Instagram: 12,713 (+283)

LinkedIn: 1,048 (+32)

Strong engagement = active audience participation

March = Peak Visibility Jan

44,888 impressions

Feb

42,073 impressions

Mar

175,741 impressions in March

March provided the majority of visibility driven by key campaign like Pub Crawl and Berwyn Shops.

1ST QUARTER | JANUARY - MARCH

2026

QUARTERLY REPORT

3322 S Oak Park Ave, 2nd Fl | Berwyn, IL 60402 (708) 788-8100 | info@berwyn.net | Berwyn.net @BerwynDevelopmentCorp @BerwynDevCorp @Berwyn Development Corporation