Nearwest News
In This Issue
ICNC Open House
ICNC Southeast Europe
$15K for EMT Training
Groupon Microgrant
Food Workshops
Training Funds
Development Opps
ICNC Turning 50!
Member News
Alderman's Meeting
ICNC Space Available
Quick Links
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September 2016
ICNC Incubator Open House - Oct 5
Back by popular demand, ICNC will once again be showcasing the Incubator and the businesses in it by having an open house. Tour our 416,000 square foot facility and visit our small businesses who will be showcasing their products, services, and operations. They include food producers, coffee roasters, beverage distillers, apparel/fashion companies, beauty product creators, light manufacturers, video producers, photographers, and many more. You will be able to visit the businesses at your own pace or attend one of our guided tours. Please also join us for networking/socializing at a BBQ starting at 5:00 PM.
Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to see one of the oldest and largest incubators in the country!

Photo by REP3
Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: ICNC - 320 N Damen Ave.
Register here.
         
ICNC in Southeast Europe
ICNC was selected from a competitive pool of Chicago area organizations to participate in a reciprocal exchange run by the U.S. Department of State Professional Fellows Program and coordinated by  World Chicago . Our ITC Director Molly BaƱuelos will be representing ICNC at an entrepreneurial tech summit in Sarajevo on September 23-24, followed by a week in Croatia meeting and conducting workshops with entrepreneurs, economic developers, and other government and industry officials - building ties for ICNC in the region and discussing best practices in entrepreneurship and international trade. If you have any opportunities as an ICNC member that you would like for us to pursue in Croatia, please reach out to molly@industrialcouncil.com  . Follow the trip updates on Twitter via @ICNCChicago, @WorldChicago or #ProFellows. 
$15K Awarded to ICNC EMT Training Program
ICNC's charitable organization has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Healthcare Workforce Collaborative which is funded through Advocate Health Care. The Healthcare Workforce Collaborative will provide women who are enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician training program with a broader range of clinical experiences in which they can apply the knowledge gained during their classroom experiences. The women will also be guaranteed consideration for career opportunities within the Advocate Health Care system after their successful completion of the training program. Please contact Priscilla Torrence at priscilla@industrialcouncil.com or Jennifer Holmes at jennifer@industrialcouncil.com if you have questions about the Emergency Medical Technician training program and or would like to help the women who participate to continue on their pathway to success.
  $2500 Awarded for Food Training in Garfield Park
In a partnership between LISC Chicago's Business District Leadership Program and Groupon , ICNC was awarded  $2,500 to promote neighborhood change in the City of Chicago. ICNC's Neighborhood Change Project will be focused in the East  Garfield Park commu
nity where the microgrant dollars  will go to fund job readiness courese in the food industry to prepare 
neighborhood residents for the jobs created by ICNC's new food incubator: The Hatchery.
Upcoming Food Workshops
The Hatchery, a collaboration between ICNC and Accion Chicago to bring education, capital, and support to the Chicagoland food entrepreneur community, has upcoming food workshops on various topics from starting a food business to marketing your food business.

Food Business Insurance - September 15
Technical assistance to food entrepreneurs made possible by our sponsors Bank of America and the United States Small Business Administration.
Employee Training Reimbursement Opportunity
Receive money back for investing in employee training! ICNC has received funds through TIFWorks 50/50, an employee training reimbursement program issued by the City of Chicago. Applications are currently being accepted. Applicants must be located within the Kinzie Industrial TIF District boundaries. All training must be pre-approved by the City. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com.
Development Opportunities   
Women in Metals Design Jam:  DesignHouse Chicago, an organization whose mission is to revitalize local manufacturing through design, will be hosting one of their signature events at ICNC on October 13th. Check out more details and register for the event  here. DesignHouse is always looking for more partners - if you are a manufacturer interested in connecting with local designers and product innovators to increase your business, please contact emily@designhousechicago.com to discuss.

Discover Global Markets: ICNC is proud to be a supporting organization of  Discover Global Markets: Building Smart Cities - helping U.S. companies find new opportunities in global markets for infrastructure, cyber security, Internet of Things, and other services and technology related to smart city development. The forum will take place in Chicago on November 1-3. See  video clip here.   

RMUIL ICenter Program: One of the core values of Robert Morris University Illinois is experiential learning. The ICenter program pairs student/faculty teams with businesses to work on real projects. Successful past projects have included accounting, marketing and social media plans, graphic design and videos, food business product development, and much more. For more information, click here or contact Deanna Ho at dho@robertmorris.edu.

Business Workshops:  The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by city officials, experts, and partner business organizations. All workshops are free and open to the public. To view the business workshop calendar, click  here .
We Are Turning 50!
ICNC will be celebrating 50 years of helping small businesses grow next year!  We are kicking off the planning of the 50th year anniversary celebrations and would love to have your ideas and energy.  If you are interested in sharing some of your time and ideas with us to help us plan for next year, contact Jennifer Holmes at jennifer@industrialcouncil.com.
Member Announcements and News
ICNC Newsletter and Website  -   ICNC members who have an announcement such as a new product launch or a special promotion can have it included in our monthly newsletter. Members with media attention can have the article link included on ICNC's ' In The News ' section of the website. Send all relevant information and links to Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com  by the last day of the month.
Monthly Alderman's Meeting
Every month ICNC hosts a breakfast with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. These meetings are an opportunity for area companies to discuss issues they have with crime, infrastructure, zoning, and other topics. For more information on ICNC's monthly Alderman's meeting, please contact Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com.
ICNC Incubator Space Available    
Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial environment and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services. Click here to view more available spaces.  
    
For more information, call 312-421-3941 or email   info@industrialcouncil.com .