Inicio Departments Economic Development Business Resources Strategic Economic Investment Program (SEIP) STRATEGIC ECONOMIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM Strategic Economic Investment Program ("SEIP") On February 15, 2022, the City Council approved the Strategic Economic Investment Program (“SEIP”). The SEIP assigns $8,303,350 in economic support funds to three business types: restaurants, hotels, and other impacted industries. The City Council’s intent in approving the SEIP is to help local businesses offset the economic damage caused by COVID-19 and related disruptions. The budget assignments for each business category and described below. EIP Spending Summary – Economic Support Restaurant Recovery & Assistance $3,803,350 Hotel Recovery & Assistance $2,500,000 Other Impacted Industries $2,000,000 Total: $8,303,350 Over the next several months, the City worked to develop programs that provide economic support to businesses in each of the three categories. On June 21, 2022, the City Council approved a contract with a consultant to help the City develop programs that match the genuine needs of Lake Forest businesses. After the completion of a thorough outreach process to the business community, the consultant proposed economic support programs to the City Council. Current Programs Shop and Dine Community Gift Card Program ("BOGO") The City of Lake Forest has partnered with local businesses in order to offer community gift cards for purchase and use at participating Lake Forest businesses. The purpose of this program is to bolster businesses that recorded a negative impact from the Covid-19 pandemic as well as support the local economy. Individuals can purchase gift cards and receive one for free in return ("BOGO"); encouraging participants to spend money locally. For more information on the gift card program as well as information on how to sign up, refer to the shop and dine page. Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Program In order to prevent catalytic converter theft, a growing problem nationwide, the City of Lake Forest has instituted a series of prevention programs. These include the Catalytic Converter Painting & Etching Program and the Catalytic Converter Shield Program; both of which provide funds in order to support catalytic converter theft mitigation. For more information on these theft mitigation programs as well as information on how to sign up, refer to the catalytic converter theft prevention program page. For regular updates on SEIP, subscribe to the Lake Forest Economic Development monthly newsletter or follow us on social media. Quick Links Registration Regulations Newsletter Social Media BUSINESS RESOURCES Bids Opportunities Business Resource Guides Business Tools Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce Digital Business Packet How to Do Business With the City Lake Forest Jobs Regulations & Permits Resources and Incentives Strategic Economic Investment Project 10 Step Guide to Starting a Business (PDF) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and Resources