Hello Uptown Business Center Clients and Partners,

We've got a large newsletter this month covering everything from expanded UBC services to grant opportunities for your small business.

We hope you're able to join us for one of our many upcoming events, including a specialized training for anyone looking to participate in farmer's markets and special events this year!

As always, please don't hesitate to schedule an Uptown Business Center consultation so we can discuss personalized support for your small business.

Best, 

Kylie Ruscheinski

Uptown Business Center Director

NOW OFFERING FREE DIGITAL MARKETING SERVICES

The Uptown Business Center is excited to announce digital marketing as part of the UBC services. Schedule an Uptown Business Center consultation for personalized digital marketing support for your small business.

UPTOWN BUSINESS CENTER EVENTS

Support Office Hours: 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant

Tuesday, February 6th | 2-5PM

Uptown Chamber of Commerce, 4619 N Broadway

Uptown Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Business Center Staff will be on hand to provide free support with grant applications for the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant. Check your supporting documentation and walk through the application process before the February 16th grant deadline! Walk ins welcome - pre-registration is not required. Please bring grant-required documents. For a full list of requirements, visit http://www.7sbrg.org/.



Money Smart with Wintrust Bank: Small Business Banking

Tuesday, February 20th | 3-4PM

The Lost Hours Coffee Shop, 5256 N Broadway

Join the Uptown Business Center and Wintrust Bank for the first Money Smart workshop of the year! This training will cover small business banking basics, including choosing your bank, banking services, improving your chances of getting a loan, and deposit insurance. This workshop will set you up with business banking fundamentals that will serve your small business in 2024 and beyond!



Register for this Free Event

Farmer's Market + Street Festival Vendor Training

Tuesday, February 27th | 3:30-4:30PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Prepare your small business for summer festival and market season! Learn the steps to become a vendor at Chicago farmer's markets and street festivals. This virtual presentation is provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Uptown Business Center and its fellow Chicago Business Center partners.

Register for this Free Event

CURRENT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

7th District Small Business Restoration Grant

Applications EXTENDED Until February 16, 2024

This 7th District Small Business Restoration grant will provide one-time $10,000 grants to small businesses located in the 7th District. Applications were extended until February 16th. Apply now.

Learn More!

7th District Small Business Restoration Grant, January 30, 10-11am

Hosted by Rogers Park Business Alliance

This webinar will cover who qualifies, how to apply, what documents are required and the timeline for the grant program.

Register Here

Learn more about eligibility and required documents at http://www.7sbrg.org/. Grants must be applied online no later than February 16, 2024 at 5:00PM CT. Apply Here



2024 Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF)

Rolling Application Windows Starting February 1

SBIF provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city. SBIF applications are submitted during monthly rollout periods for individual TIF districts and participants can receive grants to cover between 30-90% of the cost of remodeling work with a maximum of $150,000 for commercial properties.

Eligibility:

Learn more about eligible expenses and business eligibility here.

• Business properties located in a TIF district where SBIF funds are available and SBIF is open for applications (Check to see if your business is in a TIF district here.)
• Commercial businesses with gross annual sales up to $9 million on average over the previous three years
• Commercial property owners with net worth up to $9 million and liquid assets up to $500,000
• Industrial businesses with up to 200 full-time employees
• Commercial projects (residential projects aren't eligible)

Upcoming SBIF Windows:

WESTERN AVENUE SOUTH

Opens: 9am Thursday, February 1

Closes: 5pm Friday, March 1

Register for an informational webinar on Wednesday, February 7th.

WESTERN AVENUE NORTH

Opens: 9am Friday, September 1

Closes: 5pm Monday, October 2

Register for an informational webinar on Wednesday, March 6th.

LAWRENCE/BROADWAY

Opens: 9am Monday, April 1

Closes: 5pm Tuesday, April 30

Register for an informational webinar on Wednesday, April 3rd.

WILSON YARD

Opens: 9am Wednesday, May 1

Closes: 5pm Thursday, May 30

Register for an informational webinar on Wednesday, May 1st.

See the full SBIF rollout calendar here.

Learn More!

The SBIF application must be submitted to DPD's program administrator, SomerCor. For additional program information or application assistance, visit the SomerCor website at www.somercor.com/sbif.



Chicagoland Job Creators Grant from Founders First CDC

Applications Open Until February 6

The Job Creators Quest Grant will provide grants ranging from $1,500-10,000 to 25 selected businesses led by diverse funders to support premium wage job growth. Grants will be paired with a full tuition scholarship to a business accelerator programs. Apply Now.

Eligibility: 

• Founder must identify as one of the following: Latinx, Black, Asian, Women, LGBTQIA+, Military Veteran, or located in a Low to Moderate Income Area
• For-profit company with annual revenues between $100K and $5 million
• Current staff of 2+ employees
• Will have the ability to add 1-2+ net new premium wage jobs in the next 12 months
• Business must be located in the state of Illinois

Applications must include:

• Headshot photo
• Work organization chart
• Profit / Loss sheet
• 1-3 minute video answering:
• Description of your company
• What your company does/who you serve
• Why did you start your business?
• Explain to the judges why you should be awarded a grant.

Learn More!

Learn more about eligibility and the application at https://foundersfirstcdc.org/chicago. Grants must be applied for by February 6, 2024. Apply Here.

Galaxy Grant Giveaway

Applications Open Until March 31

The Galaxy Grant only takes 30 seconds to enter for a chance to win $2,750 for your business. Apply Now.



In order to apply, each business must provide:

• Email
• Full Name
• Zip Code
• Gender (can mark prefer not to say)
• Ethnicity
• Business Status

 Apply Here.

BACP ENTREPRENEUR CERTIFICATE PORTAL

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Entrepreneur Certificate Program has launched a new program portal that gives program participant full access to progress and completion details. By completing six webinars within six months in designated webinar categories, graduates are eligible to apply for the CIBC Bank USA Entrepreneur Loan Program. To learn more about the program and register, visit Chicago.gov/BACPCertificate.

EDGEWATER MONDAY MARKET - CALL FOR VENDORS

Calling all farmers, growers, artisans, restaurants, bakers, etc.: Sign-up is NOW OPEN for vendor participation in Edgewater's Monday Market. 

Chicago's only Monday Market will be back in operation for the 2024 outdoor season beginning June 3. The market will take place at the same place and time as previous years, in the Broadway Armory parking lot (5917 N Broadway) from 3pm-7pm and will feature a diverse lineup of more than 40 vendors, including food, activities, entertainment and more! Learn more about pricing and apply here.

CONCESSIONS PERMITS NOW OPEN FOR

FOREST PRESERVE OF COOK COUNTY

The Forest Preserve of Cook County is pleased to announce a business opportunity for Concessionaires to offer food, beverages, goods, and services to Forest Preserve patrons. This Permit offers Concessionaires who operate pushcarts, non-motorized vending, and food truck services the opportunity to vend in the Forest Preserves. Permit costs are: Daily ($250) or Annual ($500).

Learn more and complete your application at https://fpdcc.com/permits/concessions-opportunities.

Questions? Email the concessions team at [email protected] or call 708-771-1024.

UBC CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: DELMARK RECORDS, LLC

In May 2018 Delmark Records LLC purchased Delmark. Julia A. Miller became the CEO & President of the label and Elbio Barilari its artistic Director. Delmark Records is the oldest continuously operating jazz and blues independent record label in the United States. The UBC partnered with Delmark's newest owner on licensing and permitting.

Throughout its history, Delmark has released records by historical jazz artists such as Sun Ra, Sonny Stitt, Jimmy Forrest, Wynton Kelly, Curtis Fuller, Roscoe Mitchell, Anthony Braxton, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and so many more. Delmark’s stellar blues catalogue includes, among others: Junior Wells, Little Walter, T-bone Walker, Big Joe Williams, J. B. Hutto, Robert Nighthawk, Luther Allison, Magic Sam, Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Johnson, Sleepy John Estes, Arthur Crudup, Otis Rush, and so many more.

The label also has released albums by musicians from Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. The first record was Roscoe Mitchell's Sound (1966) which received a five-star review in Downbeat. This was followed by a string of releases on Delmark that highlighted the new music being played in Chicago by artists associated with the AACM including Muhal Richard Abrams, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, and Anthony Braxton. Additionally, Delmark released two of the earliest Sun Ra albums, Sun Song and Sound of Joy, in 1967 and 1968 respectively.

This year marks Delmark's 70th Anniversary! The label has produced more than 40 New Releases since 2018 on multiple formats - digital single, digital album, official video, lyric video, CD, 2CD, LP, 2LP, and reel-to-reel. They have also put back in dozens of catalog releases on CD & LP, and made 12,000+ tracks available digitally. Delmark re-released Roscoe Mitchell’s historical “Sound” album, going back to the original mixes by Stu Black. Delmark started a product line of reel to reel master copies of some of the work of iconic artists such as Junior Wells & Jimmy Forrest. Sun Ra and Magic Sam tapes are

also available. A new reel to reel release by Johnny Iguana is coming in 2024.

Visit them at 4121 N. Rockwell St. or at delmark.com.