Why the BDC is Focused on Growing Berwyn’s Economy

Berwyn's future is being shaped by the businesses that choose to invest, grow, and create opportunities here.

Every day, local businesses provide jobs, activate commercial corridors, support community events, and help make Berwyn a vibrant place to live and work. That is why the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC) remains focused on helping businesses succeed while attracting new investment to the community.

Recent data released by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) provides valuable insight into Berwyn’s strengths and the opportunities ahead. According to the latest data, Berwyn, home to more than 55,000 residents, has a diverse and growing workforce and a strong tradition of entrepreneurship. It also shows a significant decline in private-sector employment over the past decade, while many residents continue to commute elsewhere for work, underscoring the need to create more local jobs and support business growth.

The data reinforces an important reality: creating more jobs, supporting entrepreneurs, and strengthening our commercial districts isn't just economic development work. It's community-building work.

Building A Stronger Business Environment

Every BDC program, initiative, and partnership is designed with a simple goal: to create conditions for businesses to succeed and grow in Berwyn.

That means supporting entrepreneurs as they launch and expand, helping existing businesses navigate challenges and seize new opportunities, and working with property owners and developers to bring underutilized commercial spaces back into productive use.

When businesses grow, jobs follow. When vacant storefronts are filled, commercial corridors become more vibrant. When more residents work closer to home, everyone benefits.

Investing in Long-Term Growth 

Construction in progress at the future Berwyn Art Park on Roosevelt Road

Berwyn’s economy is built on thousands of small businesses, family-owned companies, service providers, restaurants, manufacturers, and retailers. To strengthen that foundation, the BDC focuses on: 

• • Business attraction efforts that bring new employers and investment to the community.
  • Support for existing businesses looking to expand, hire, or reinvest.
  • Redevelopment of key commercial properties and corridors.
  • Entrepreneur and small business assistance programs.
  • Initiatives that increase foot traffic and daytime activity, supporting local restaurants, retailers, and service businesses.

Creating Opportunity Closer to Home

CMAP's data show that most employed Berwyn residents work outside the community; only 5% work in Berwyn, underscoring the opportunity to keep more work local and strengthen the city’s economy.

That presents a significant opportunity.

By attracting employers, supporting business expansion, and encouraging investment in commercial districts, Berwyn can create more jobs, allowing more residents to work, shop, and spend their time locally. This strengthens the customer base for existing businesses and helps build a more vibrant community.

Looking Ahead

The BDC remains committed to supporting businesses at every stage of growth while working with community partners to create new opportunities throughout the City.

Whether it’s helping a small business owner access technical assistance, supporting a redevelopment project, activating a public space like the Berwyn Art Plaza, or attracting new investment to our commercial corridors, each effort contributes to a stronger and more prosperous Berwyn.

Because when local businesses succeed, Berwyn succeeds.