July 2023 Business Matters News
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In This Issue:- The 2023 Cook County Source Grant
- Choose DuPage Programs
- Join a Chamber of Commerce
- Save the Date: Business After Hours
- Federal Funding for Small Businesses
- Signage for Your Business
- Next Level Northwest
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The 2023 Cook County Source GrantApplications being accepted from July 20 - August 18
Cook County's 2023 Source Grant will provide $40 million in grants to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity. Your business is eligible if it:- Is a for-profit business in Cook County, Illinois
- Has less than 20 employees
- Has operated and conducted businesses since 2020
- Has experienced a negative financial impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The program will prioritize businesses:- Located in suburban Cook County
- In sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 including restaurants, bars, childcare, social assistance, hospitality, arts & entertainment, retail trade, transportation & warehousing
- Owned by veterans
All applications must be submitted ONLINE. A laptop or desktop computer is recommended to upload documents and complete the application. To apply, find a schedule of webinars, help sessions to apply, FAQs and more, go to www.cookcountysmallbiz.org/sourcegrant
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FREE Programs to Assist Small Businesses!A Connect DuPage EventWednesday, August 2nd10:00am - Noon
Location:
workNet DuPage, 2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302, Lisle, IL 60532 Call 331-401-5822 for more info or REGISTER here: https://www.choosedupage.com/events/programs-to-assist-small-business/ Join other local small business owners to learn about FREE assistance and expertise available through the College of DuPage Business Development Center, which includes the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), APEX Accelerator, and International Trade Center. These programs can be the difference in your business growth! There is no cost to attend. Registration is limited...sign up today! Guest Speaker: Ileen Kelly, Program Manager - Illinois APEX Accelerator
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Join a Local Chamber of Commerce for Your Business Success
Learn what chamber membership can do for you and your business!Joining a chamber of commerce can provide access to valuable resources, discounts, and relationships that can help save your business money and market its products. Watch your sales increase and improve your business' visibility and credibility! Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce (335 S. Main St., Lower Level of BMO Harris Bank, Bartlett) - covers both Bartlett AND Hanover Park. Enjoy benefits of chamber membership in your own neighborhood. Learn more on their website: www.bartlettareachamber.com or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartlettAreaChamberIL Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (2000 SBC Center Dr., Hoffman Estates) - a trusted resource for Latino businesses to achieve economic growth and impact in Chicago's northwest suburbs. Website: https://www.nwhccil.org/ or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwhccil Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago) - has a team of business advisors and program managers who work hard to help entrepreneurs take the first steps into starting a business. Website: https://ihccbusiness.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ihccbusiness Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois (5415 N. Clark St., Chicago) - a new resource for Asian Americans and other minority-owned businesses to help increase access to capital and opportunities. Website: https://aaccil.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsianAmChamber
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Business After HoursWednesday, Sept. 13 @ 5-7pm1931 Ontarioville Road
Save the date for Hanover Park's Annual Business After Hours to network, enjoy music and sample a wide variety of foods from local restaurants. Bring your business cards and mingle with other business owners and enjoy an evening in our new "downtown" while sampling delicious food items from some of Hanover Park's diverse restaurants.
All local Hanover Park businesses and members of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce businesses are invited to attend this FREE networking event!
If you would like to have a food item from your restaurant featured, please contact Community Development at 630-823-5780 or email communitydevelopment@hpil.org
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The State Small Business Credit Initiative
On December 6, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Illinois will receive up to $354.6 million to administer four programs as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The programs include: - Advantage Illinois - an existing program which provides low-interest loans to small businesses; in 2022, 71% of these loans went to businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, or people with disabilities
- Advantage Illinois' new Loan Guarantee Program - which will support businesses that have had difficulty receiving loans by using funds to guarantee a percentage of loans provided by partner lender.
- INVENT Venture Capital Program (VCP) - a new direct equity program that will focus on investing in businesses in key industries such as agriculture, ag tech, information technology, life sciences, manufacturing and more
- Climate Bank Finance Loan Participation Program - which will issue loans to small businesses in the clean energy sector.
SSBCI was reauthorized as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and provides $10 billion to states for assistance to small businesses. Illinois is one of seven states approved to receive funding. The press release with additional information on the announcement was released by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Grant programs will launch soon. Interested businesses should fill out the form linked below to receive additional information and updates when the programs are launched. For more information and to receive updates when the programs are launched, go to: https://form.jotform.com/223395045936058
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Most Signs Require a Permit!
Here are a few rules to be aware of:- Window signs may not be larger/cover more than 50% of any one window
- A-frame signs require permits and must be kept near the business and off of the parkway, and must by removed by the close of each business day
- Grand Opening signs are allowed, but also require a permit
PROHIBITED SIGNS: - Marquee, scrolling, flashing or crawling signs
- Box signs over 12 inches in height
- Inflatable signs, pennants or feather signs
- Painted wall signage
- Pole-mounted, roof top and vehicle signs
* Please also remember to remove any bird nests from any signs or letters For more details, you can review the Hanover Park Sign Code here: https://library.municode.com/IL/Hanover%20Park/CODES/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH6SICO
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Take Your Business to the NEXT Level
Next Level Northwest can help you and your business succeed
Have you thought about ways to get your business to the next level - increasing your brand awareness, revenues and success? FREE help is here for you and your business. NLNW offers free coaching, training and support in any area of business you need help with.
This valuable one-on-one coaching program can make YOU their next success story. You can read about their recent success stories and apply here: www.nextlevelnorthwest.org/apply-now. See what they can offer you!
Questions? Need help applying? Call Community Development at 630-823-5780 or email us at CDevelopment@hpil.org and we can get your started AND help you through the entire application process.
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Questions? Please Contact the Community & Economic Development Department630-823-5780
If you would like your business news included in a Business Matters newsletter, please contact us by email or by phone.
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