A Message from the BACP Commissioner |
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Dear Chicagoan,
The back to school season reminds all of us that learning is lifelong. We should always be open to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s important to be aware of new technology, market trends, and industry standards as they become critical for the growth and sustainability of a business. Throughout the year, BACP and its partners offer resources and tools for future and current business owners to stay informed in a competitive market.
BACP Big Three:
- The BACP Small Business Expo will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Malcolm X College. The free expo celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and provides invaluable resources for current and future small business owners. The event will also include extensive resources and an enterprising workshop for the next generation of business leaders at the ‘Chi Youthpreneur Corner.’ Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BizExpo.
- Chicago's minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) can participate in capacity-building programming through the BACP Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE) Chicago Supplier Development Program. The program supports small business owners interested in contracting with the City of Chicago, as well as opportunities to become suppliers for municipalities and corporations. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/EDGE.
- The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Good Food Fund and the Early-Stage Food Incubator Programs are live. The purpose of these two programs is to provide support for food entrepreneurs in communities with inequitable food access. Learn more by visiting Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
This time of year is an opportunity for growth, progress, and innovation. To help with your entrepreneurial journey, I encourage you to connect with BACP. This newsletter will help guide you to all of the BACP resources for businesses, workers, and consumers in each of Chicago's 77 neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
Ken Meyer
BACP Commissioner
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Small Business Expo - September 30 |
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The last BACP Small Business Expo of 2023 will be held on Saturday, September 30th from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson.
The free expo will kick-off with breakfast networking and offer resources from nonprofit and government agencies, workshops, and a keynote address.
The keynote speaker will be Kim Lewis, founder of Curl Mix, a Chicago-based, Black-owned and operated natural hair care company. As a thought leader and advocate for natural hair care, Kim serves as an inspiration for both consumers and fellow entrepreneurs.
A new highlight at this expo will be the ‘Chi Youthpreneur Corner,’ an engaging space designed to inspire, educate, and connect young minds eager to venture into the business world. This corner will feature several youth-targeted organizations and an interactive workshop on startup fundamentals.
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Chicago Supplier Development Program |
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The BACP Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE) Supplier Development Program serves to develop, strengthen, and advocate for Chicago's minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBEs) interested in contracting with the City of Chicago, as well as opportunities to become suppliers for municipalities and corporations. The program will provide targeted support and resources to guide firms generally selected as subcontractors on the path to become prime contractors on City funded projects.
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), with support from Build Bronzeville, Greater Chatham Initiative, Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and Logan Square Chamber of Commerce, were selected to provide capacity-building supplier development programming. These organizations will work together to design culturally relevant programming and cultivate strong relationships at the community level to connect small businesses with relevant opportunities.
The 8-week cohort program includes: weekly group trainings, 1:1 individual counseling, and industry specific assistance.
Applications are due September 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (CST).
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Food Equity Request for Proposals |
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Good Food Fund Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Good Food Fund will provide support to food entrepreneurs in communities with inequitable access to food. The Good Food Fund was designed after intensive community engagement with the Food Equity Council and seeks to help expand, enhance, and restore the food industry using an equity and community-based approach.
Through the Good Food Fund RFP, the City will award one organization the opportunity to design and manage a $5 million fund. The fund will provide sub-grants to businesses across the food ecosystem (production, distribution, processing, retail) in communities with inequitable food access. The remaining $2 million will fund the administration of the Good Food Fund and the operations required to offer highly specialized food industry-specific coaching for two years. In addition, the chosen delegate agency will develop a governance board to provide input on the eligibility criteria for fund recipients and support with community outreach. The chosen delegate agency will also be asked to help to grow the fund to ensure sustainability with support from the City.
Early-Stage Food Incubator Program Request for Proposal (RFP)
The Early-Stage Food Business Incubator Program will provide funding to various innovative food business incubators. This program will focus on incubators serving emerging food businesses in communities with the greatest food insecurity and those with emerging food corridors. The Early-Stage Food Business Incubator Program, which designed after intensive community engagement with the Food Equity Council, seeks to help expand, enhance, and restore the food industry using an equity and community-based approach.
Through this RFP, the City expects to award 4-6 community-based organizations with federal grant funding for innovative food incubator programs. Participants will design custom programs that offer a range of technical assistance and capacity building support, such as: mentorship/apprenticeship programs, food stall rentals, kitchen and commercial space, retail pop-ups, co-working or office space and more. Selected organizations will receive a 1-year award of $300,000 to $400,000.
To apply, proposals should be summited to the City outlining the creation of a new or the growth of an existing innovative food business incubator program. Applicants can have specific geographic focus areas (e.g., singular community area) or a specific specialty within the broad food industry (e.g., restaurants). Priority will be given to proposals that build upon existing initiatives to generate food hubs and food corridors that address historic and present-day systems that have denied communities access to nourishing and culturally relevant food options.
To learn more about the Early-Stage Food Business Incubator Program RFP and BACP’s Recovery Plan efforts, please visit Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Flood Disaster Assistance
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President Joe Biden signed the Illinois Disaster Declaration for individual assistance for residents of Chicago and Cook County who sustained probable damage directly related to the July 2, 2023, flash flood will be eligible to apply for Individual Assistance.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. In the meantime:
- Make sure you have contacted your insurance company.
- You can still apply if you are underinsured or have no insurance.
- Keep and save all your documentation.
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U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
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Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Illinois following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to severe storms and flooding on June 29 through July 2, 2023.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Oct. 16, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 15, 2024.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Program-Ongoing Initiatives |
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The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program aims to support nonprofits disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through the provision of technical assistance and capacity building services to help stabilize and scale their operations.
The Nonprofit Capacity Building Program includes four types of programs: Readiness Summits, Monthly Webinars, Weekly Small-Group Workshops, and One-on-One Application Assistance.
Upcoming Events:
Weekly workshops and monthly webinars presented by Greater Auburn Gresham Development Center (GAGDC) and Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).
Sept 15th, 22nd, and 27th: Tips Writing City/Government Contracts
Sept 20th: Contract Execution
Sept 13th, 20th, and 27th: Government, Corporate, Foundation, and Major Gift Development
October: The WBDC will offer cohorts for established nonprofit organizations that are ready to apply for or are in an existing contract with the City of Chicago. Participants will receive individualized assistance to help them overcome pandemic-related challenges, manage current contracts, and continue their growth.
Eligible organizations must complete an application and interview, which includes additional cohort details. To apply, navigate to the BACP Nonprofit Capacity Building Program via the blue “Sign up for Future Workshops" link, fill out the form, select Workshops under Event Type, then select Cohort (WBDC) under Workshop Events.
Past Events:
To learn more about these initiatives, the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program, and BACP’s Recovery Plan efforts, please visit Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.
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Upcoming Empower Hour Webinars |
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Thursday, September 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Empower Hour: Casa Humilde Cerveceria
In honor and recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with brothers Jose Lopez and Javier Lopez, the Mexican-American Founders of Casa Humilde Cerveceria, located in the Hermosa neighborhood of Chicago.
To stand out from the competition, the brothers tapped into their heritage to create beer with Latin ingredients. The result is a beer with familiar hoppy flavors that can be enjoyed by anyone and anywhere.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the business, product development, industry networking, and utilizing business resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
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Thursday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Empower Hour: Chopin Theatre
In honor and recognition of Polish American Heritage Month, this month’s Empower Hour will feature BACP Commissioner Ken Meyer chatting with Zygmunt and Lela Dyrkacz, Co-Owners of Chopin Theatre.
Chopin Theatre Productions is housed in the historic Chopin Theatre building, across the Polish Triangle where Division St., Milwaukee Ave., and Ashland Ave. intersect. Their mission is to promote enlightened civic discourse through a diverse range of artistic offerings. Over the past 3 decades Chopin Theatre has presented over 2,000 different events including theater; jazz and classical music, literary and other arts including over 120 Polish and Eastern European events. The theater has hosted performers from each American state and from over 40 countries. Also, Chopin Theatre was instrumental in transforming Wicker Park into a destination neighborhood with quality dining and entertainment options, through their award-winning acts which brought over 1 million people to Wicker Park. They have greatly helped to support local restaurants, boutiques, bars, etc.
The candid conversation will cover the start of the venue, operations, community partnerships networking, and utilizing business resources. The webinar will end with a Q&A for attendees to ask questions.
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Consumer Protection Alert |
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The City of Chicago has filed a civil lawsuit against Kia America, Inc., Kia Corporation, Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Company for their failure to include industry-standard engine immobilizers in the multiple modes of their vehicles, resulting in a steep rise in vehicle thefts, reckless driving, property damage and a wide array of crimes in Chicago.
Filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, alleges that Kia and Hyundai failed to equip their U.S. cars, sold between 2011 and 2022, with vital anti-theft technology. The Complaint alleges that Kia and Hyundai deceptively assured consumers that these vehicles possessed “advanced” safety features, despite knowing about this critical defect and its consequences. To learn more about the complete details on the cities lawsuit click the link Lawsuit Against Kia and Hyundai .
Chicagoans are welcomed to share with the City about their experience with Kia and Hyundai related to their failure to install immobilizers and resulting thefts, they can do so by emailing consumerprotection@cityofchicago.org.
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Chicago Food Truck Festival |
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There are 4-weeks remaining for the Chi Food Truck Fest. The fest occurs at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, every Friday through October 6 from 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m. Featuring a rotating selection of food trucks from around the city, the popular fest is a great opportunity to support Chicago's food truck industry, and small businesses, in general, while bringing new and diverse lunch options to Chicago's Loop. The last fest will be Friday, October 6.
The line-up will be announced each week on BACP social media platforms using the hashtag #ChiFoodTruckFest. Follow ChicagoBACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Halloween Safety for Businesses |
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Halloween is a fun time of year for children in the City of Chicago to go door-to-door visiting their neighbors or small businesses to participate in Trick or Treat. BACP encourages the small business community to celebrate and participate safely. Below are some helpful tips for businesses this Halloween.
- Communicate with your employees safety protocols.
- Partner with your local Neighborhood Business Development Center, such as a Chamber of Commerce, to participate in a commercial corridor Trick or Treat.
- Be a good neighbor and connect with community organizations to support Halloween events.
The City of Chicago wants everyone to please be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC) encourages residents and visitors to report any suspicious objects, persons or any unusual activity by calling 9-1-1 immediately or to notify security personnel on site.
Additionally, BACP and the Local Liquor Control Commission want to stress the importance of following liquor laws during upcoming festivities. Please ensure your workers and patrons celebrate responsibly. For more information, review the Top Tips for Liquor Licensees. |
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BACP regularly engages with business service organizations as part of the Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) program. The recent ChiBizChat, a meeting with BACP and NBDCs, was held at the Beverly Arts Center and provided resources and support for various segments of the business community in Chicago.
The event covered a range of topics important to local businesses as NBDCs, including break-out sessions focusing on minority-owned businesses, business safety strategies, and practical skills for business growth. These discussions reflected the City's commitment to fostering a diverse and thriving business ecosystem in Chicago.
ChiBizChat plays a crucial role in promoting collaboration, sharing knowledge, and providing essential resources to help businesses succeed and contribute to the local economy.
BACP would like to thank Dr. Carla Carter, Deja Taylor, and the staff of the Beverly Arts Center for hosting. The Beverly Arts Center is a multifaceted organization building community through diverse, quality arts programming, education, and entertainment for all ages and levels.
Special thanks to the Beverly Area Planning Association, the Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association, the Chicago Police Department, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Chicago, the Chicago Department of Assets, Information and Services, Mosaics Boutique and Tea, Beverly Bakery and Cafe, and the Waffle Pancake House for their partnership in this event.
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City of Chicago Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged-owned Business (MWDBE) Certification |
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DPS offers weekly workshops on more than 30 topics, including: Procurement 101, Certification, and Bid Incentives & Programs. The workshops are a key transparency initiative and a helpful tool for small business owners who want to position their firm for improved access to City contracting opportunities. View the workshop calendar and register by visiting Chicago.gov/DPS. If you’d like more information about the services DPS offers, email dps.feedback@cityofchicago.org. |
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Grant Funding Opportunities |
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Apply for the Small Business Improvement Fund
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), offered by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city to tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties. Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 to 90 percent of remodeling work costs, with the maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant does not have to be repaid. To learn about eligibility and how to apply, please visit Chicago.gov/SBIF.
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Business Education Webinars
BACP continues to offer free business education webinars. The webinars feature a variety of topics aimed at helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their business. Previous webinars are available for viewing at YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP.
Upcoming business education webinars:
- Wednesday, September 13 at 3:00 p.m.:
- Access Capital to Purchase or Make Permanent Improvements to Your Small Business presented by Kimberly Brisky, Managing Director of Communications & Engagement at SomerCor
- Friday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m.:
- 2x Your Web Conversions without Learning Code presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – Chicago Chapter
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Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs)
NBDCs provide free hyper-local support to entrepreneurs and business owners through a strong neighborhood network to help connect businesses with financial resources, business-to-business networking opportunities, employment, and workforce development assistance, and more. Find your local NBDC by visiting Chicago.gov/NBDC.
Chicago Business Centers (CBCs)
The eight CBCs are Chicago-based business service organizations that serve as regional hubs providing free business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. The centers fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations. To learn more, visit Chicago.gov/CBC.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. To learn more, visit SBA.gov.
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Chicago Resident Financial Relief Programs |
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Clear Path Relief (CPR) Pilot program and Fix-It Defense
- Pay off the original fine amount for tickets issued in the last 3 years and all eligible older debt will be waived.
- Fifty percent (50%) reduction of new tickets issued within 365 days from down payment of debt relief payment plan.
- New unpaid tickets will not be assessed penalties until after December 31, 2023.
To qualify, an applicant must reside in a household currently enrolled in the Utility Billing Relief program or have a household income of less than, or equal to, 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
CPR applications will be accepted through December 31, 2023. To learn more, please visit Chicago.gov/CPR.
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BACP Operations and Opportunities |
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BACP offices will be closed on the following dates due to City Holiday:
- Monday, October 9 (in observance of Columbus Day)
- Friday, November 10 (in observance of Veterans Day)
- Thursday, November 23 (in observance of Thanksgiving)
Find purpose in the public sector. Don't miss applying for BACP job opportunities!
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City of Chicago | Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
| 312-744-2086 |
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