COVID-19 Resources + Funding Opportunities
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Our mission to support Chicago's small businesses and the West Side community that we are a part of is and always will be our top priority. We've created a COVID-19 Resources webpage that is updated daily and includes funding opportunities, employment support, food access, small business resources, online training opportunities, how manufacturing businesses can support first responders, and more.
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Accion, our partner in The Hatchery, has created an
emergency capital webpage
with the most up-to-date information on small business grant and loan opportunities.
If you have information on any other available resources or funding opportunities, please
let us know
!
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Virtual Entrepreneurship Education
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Join the Illinois SBDC at ICNC for an upcoming webinar! Learn more about the Illinois SBDC at ICNC
here
.
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COVID-19's Impact on Supply Chain in China
Wednesday, April 15th - 1:00 PM
Join the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center for a webinar about how the COVID-19 health crisis has impacted the supply chain in China. The webinar will cover travel and work restrictions, government requirements to re-open, labor shortages, and more.
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Impact Culinary Training Program Cohort 3 Start Delayed
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In order to respond to public health recommendations surrounding the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Impact Culinary has delayed the start of it’s 3rd cohort indefinitely.
A new start date will be announced as soon as it is recommended and will follow the guidance of Chicago Public Schools and begin classes when CPS returns to in-person education. Impact will be posting updates to its website frequently.
Interested students are still encouraged to complete the application, so that their information is on-hand.
Impact's highest priority is ensuring the health and safety of its community, chefs, and potential students. All decisions will be made to do what's best for the community.
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2020 Membership Meeting Canceled
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ICNC’s annual membership meeting was scheduled for March 25th at the Goose Island Barrel House. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we had to cancel the event, but we are working to address the membership business that needs to be addressed. ICNC members should watch for access to an online voting platform for new and renewing board members, as well as updates on our economic development and advocacy activities.
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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
.
- The Workforce Development Team at ICNC works every day to provide quality and streamlined services that connect a skilled and qualified workforce with employment, as well as a variety of labor market services to meet the needs of local businesses. During this difficult time of the COVID-19 health crisis, the team is compiling resources regarding financial resources, food access, and more.
To discuss your HR needs, please contact
Nancy
or
Priscilla
in our Workforce Development Department!
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Upcoming Virtual Food Workshops with The Hatchery Chicago
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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.
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Make City Mentions -
Community of Collaboration and Innovation
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The entrepreneurial atmosphere in our Make City incubator is always apparent. During the COVID-19 crisis, the community of collaboration and innovation is more evident than ever before. Some of the small businesses working out of Make City, whose businesses are struggling due to the current environment, have changed operations and thought of innovative ways to support their business, their employees, and their communities.
Farmer's Fridge
has launched a home delivery program, put a 25% discount in place for all fridges still open in front line locations (airports, hospitals, etc.), and have placed mini fridges in certain hospitals with free or subsidized meals.
Meliora Cleaning Products
partnered with Few Spirits to create hand sanitizer that follows the WHO's guidelines. On Meliora's online shop, customers can purchase a bottle for themselves or pay to donate a bottle.
NearWest Studio
, a tailoring company, is using their sewing machines to create masks.
Rhine Hall
is using their brandy distillery to create hand sanitizer and have made bottles of their brandy available for purchase through curbside pickup. Every Saturday, Rhine Hall hosts a virtual cocktail making class. One business,
Luckyprints
, couldn't change their operations to begin making PPE, but they figured out a different way to help other impacted businesses. Their Small Business Fundraising project designs, creates, and ships merchandise sold online for restaurants or other impacted businesses who receive all proceeds.
The above spotlights are just a few ways that small businesses in Make City are working to support their communities. If your business is housed in ICNC's Make City incubator and you have changed your operations to support others, please
let us know
!
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Meliora Cleaning Products
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Grow Your Business @ Make City & The Hatchery
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Make City - 320 N. Damen Ave.
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The Hatchery - 135 N. Kedzie Ave.
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ICNC's Make City incubator offers a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services alongside 100 other small, modern urban manufacturing businesses. ICNC supports small businesses and the West Side community through incubation, advocacy, and advising.
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The Hatchery is a non-profit food and beverage incubator dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses through cutting-edge kitchen facilities, entrepreneurship curriculum, partnerships with generous corporate sponsors and foundations to create local job opportunities and accelerate local economic growth.
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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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