The Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC). Reasonable accomodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact the center at (312)433-2373.
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2019 Year in Review
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From opening the new food and beverage incubator, The Hatchery, to creating a new culinary program offered for young adults on the West Side, to upholding the Kinzie Corridor Planned Manufacturing District - 2019 was a year of growth and exciting achievements for all of us at ICNC.
A Few Highlights:
Hatchery One-Year
After cutting the ribbon on
The Hatchery in December 2018, we saw the building officially open for business in early 2019. The Hatchery is currently at 55% occupancy and focuses on helping food businesses grow, creating jobs, and helping community members find local jobs.
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Impact Culinary Training Launch
Impact Culinary Training is for young adults ages 16-24 on Chicago's West Side launched in Summer 2019, with future sessions taking place 3 times a year. 13 students graduated from the first cohort and there are 15 students currently in the program's second cohort.
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Kinzie Corridor Planned Manufacturing District (PMD) Upheld
was passed by City Council in September,
upholding and modernizing the Kinzie Industrial Corridor's planned manufacturing district (PMD) zoning. We greatly appreciate the hard work of the City and neighborhood businesses for their support of preserving the Kinzie Industrial Corridor as an economic engine for Chicagoans of diverse backgrounds. We will continue to advocate for and support the businesses that call the Kinzie PMD home for their business.
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Entrepreneurship Education at ICNC
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Join the Illinois Small Business Development Center International Trade Center at ICNC for free upcoming workshops!
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Starting Your Business in IL + GATA Pre-Award Preparation Sessions
December 17th & 20th
Understand the basic elements of starting a business in Illinois. Session will also touch on elements of entrepreneurship. Additionally, The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act Pre-Award information will help you prepare to quickly act on Notice of Funding Opportunities.
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International Payment Terms & Foreign Exchange
January 22nd
For both importers and exporters, a working knowledge of International Payment Terms (INCOTERMS) and foreign exchange rates are essential in avoiding pitfalls of conducting international business. This workshop aims to provide you a basic understanding of the payment methods used in international transactions to reduce risk.
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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Trade & Investment is inviting qualified Illinois small businesses to exhibit at the SIAL Canada 2020 show in Montreal in April!
Learn more
and apply.
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ICNC's Women's EMT Training Program
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ICNC's women's EMT training program provides women who are head-of-household with training to become an EMT. After training, the students will take the national exam and be prepared for a healthcare career. The next class will begin in early 2020. Learn more
about the program and apply here
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The HR Corner
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- Are you ready to hire staff but lack the time to screen resumes? Our workforce development department can assist you!
Learn more.
- Illinois has enacted several pieces of legislation recently regarding equal pay, harassment, and more.
Learn more.
- Your business can receive money back for hiring full-time Chicago residents through the TIFWorks 50/50 Program! For more information, contact Hannah.
To discuss your HR needs, please contact Nancy or Priscilla in our Workforce Development Department!
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Grow Your Business @ Make City!
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Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services at ICNC's Make City incubator alongside 100 other small businesses.
Click
here to view the available spaces.
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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.
*Certain workshops are free for members of the West Side communities (Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt).
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