Sea Level Diving to Build New Facility in Crystal Lake

Sea Level Diving owner Art Koch is ready to take the plunge on expanding his business.

And, on Tuesday, city leaders gave him a helping hand with new venture.

Council members unanimously approved an Existing Retailer Job Creation and Investment Matching Grant application for Sea Level Diving.

The $5,000 grant will be used toward the purchase of new furniture, fixtures and equipment.

The scuba diving shop, which Koch said opened in Crystal Lake in 1987, is currently located at 93 Berkshire Ln.

But Koch told city leaders during the regularly scheduled city council meeting that he plans to build a new scuba diving facility at 269 Liberty, next to Mike's Service near the empty, former Walmart building.

At the existing space, Sea Level Diving uses a large tank-like structure for lessons. The new location will have an indoor, inground swimming pool. 

"This is a new, larger facility," Koch said. "This is a huge step for us."

Sea Level Diving specializes in scuba diving and snorkeling lessons and sells diving equipment. 

Crystal Lake's Business Development Program

In 2010, the city's Economic Development Committee, which oversees the grant program, extended the grant applications to existing businesses to promote expansion and improvement. This year, the city has budgeted $80,000 to the grant program.

With two new appliciations approved last night, a total of $45,000 of the grant money has been allocated. 

Last year, city and business leaders working together helped fill 571,000 square foot of tenant space with new businesses. James Richter II, assistant director of economic development, said the new business grants are extremely helpful when trying to get new businesses to consider Crystal Lake for their next store.