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The Economic Development Center @ CMAA
February 2025 Newsletter
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Join our Business Accelerator Roadmap | |
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🚀Attention Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs❗
Join us for our first Business Accelerator Roadmap designed to support all small business owners, with a special emphasis on uplifting minority and immigrant entrepreneurs with AI translation integration by our client, VowChats, to break down language barriers and expand business knowledge!
🗓️Program Dates: March 4th - 25th, weekly on Tuesday
đź“ŤLocation: 2424 W. Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL,60659
⏰Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This 4-week Accelerator program is specifically tailored for existing business owners who want to grow and scale their businesses. Plus, we’ll be hosting a Pitch Competition after the program to help you present your business to potential investors and partners!
Don't miss this opportunity to unlock new tools and strategies for growth—apply today and take the first step toward elevating your entrepreneurial journey!
đź’ˇRegistration Link: https://forms.gle/s9McgdiAE9E3TNA29
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The Economic Development Center at Chinese Mutual Aid Association is excited to announce the following events! | |
February 25: Sell Yourself - Real Time Capability Statements | |
February 26: Illinois DCEO SBIG Informational Session | |
March 5: Inaugural Small Business Expo | |
March 6: ComEd MDI Recruitment Event | |
March 11-12: Illinois APEX 2nd Annual Government Contracting Summit | |
March 18: Women's Roundtable | |
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AmeriChem Systems, a fast-growing U.S. company recognized on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, specializes in water treatment and dehydration systems. Michael Perry, National Sales Manager, sought to expand into federal projects, and the opportunity arose with Fermilab’s PIP-II (Proton Improvement Plan II) project. Securing this Department of Energy (DOE) contract would boost AmeriChem’s reputation and open doors to future contracts.
Navigating the complex DOE procurement process was challenging, but Ian Quan, our APEX Director, brought critical expertise. His knowledge of government contracting and connections within the federal sector helped AmeriChem craft a proposal that exceeded Fermilab’s expectations, emphasizing the sustainability and efficiency of their systems.
The partnership proved successful—AmeriChem won the PIP-II contract, marking a key milestone in their growth. This win has paved the way for future government projects, with APEX’s continued support being integral to their success.
“Winning the PIP-II contract has been a game-changer for us. We’re excited about the future and the opportunities ahead with APEX by our side.”
- Michael Perry
https://americhemsystems.com/
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Verizon Small Business
Digital Ready Program
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We are excited to announce an incredible opportunity in partnership with National ACE and Verizon!
The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program is now available to help small businesses thrive. This free program offers online learning, personalized coaching, and valuable tools for digital marketing, financing, and customer engagement, all designed to empower entrepreneurs to grow and succeed in the digital world.
Topics include:
- Managing Money
- Funding
- Strategy
- Branding
- Online Marketing
- Social Media
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Check out the website for more topics!
đź’ˇSign Up Today and Broaden Your Skillset: https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/?utm_source=national-ace&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=digital-ready_national-partner_chinese-mutual-aid-association
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- PRIORITY
- OE3 Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program
- Amount= $10,000-$245,000
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Specifically designed for Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) and Very Small Businesses (VSBs) with 25 or fewer full-time employees.
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Watch these Pre-Qualification and SAM.gov videos as it pertains to eligibility
- DEADLINE: 5:00 PM on 4/7/25
- All Small Businesses
- Lenovo Evolve Small Grant
- Amount= $35,000 ($25k in funding, $10k in customized technology solutions)
- Must be located in the one of the following metro areas: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, Toronto, Washington, DC, or Vancouver.
- Revenue over the previous 12 months must be between $100,000 - $7,500,000
- DEADLINE: 6:00PM on 2/17/25
- UPS Store Small Biz Challenge
- Amount= $35,000 (+ magazine feature in Inc. Magazine)
- Requires competing, if chosen as a semi-finalist
- DEADLINE: 2/19/25
- McKinsey x A4CB Fast Grant
- Amount= $10,000
- DEADLINE: 11:59 PM on 2/28/25
- Skip Growth Grant
- Amount= $10,000
- DEADLINE: 10:00PM on 2/28/25
- Start Pivot Grow Q1 Microgrant
- Amount= $2,500
- In business for at least two years
- Annual revenue of $50,000 or more
- DEADLINE: 3/31/25
- The Awesome Foundation Grant
- Amount= $1,000
- DEADLINE: 2/28/25 (monthly basis)
- Freed Fellowship Grant
- Amount= $500
- DEADLINE: 2/28/25 (monthly basis)
- Secretsos™ Small Business Grant
- Amount=$2,500
- Application Fee= $15
- DEADLINE: 11:59 PM on 3/31/25
- Hustler’s MicroGrant
- Amount= $1,000
- Application Fee= $15
- DEADLINE: 2/28/25
- Small Business Improvement Fund by City of Chicago and SomerCor
- Amount= Determined by the property and business type (MAX- Commercial- $150,000 & Industrial-$250,000)
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February TIF Districts (check your TIF District)
- 53rd Street
- 105th/Vincennes
- Devon/Sheridan
- Michigan/Cermak
- Wilson Yard
- DEADLINE: 5:00 PM on 3/2/25
- Community Development Grant - Medium
- Amount= $300,001 to $5,000,000
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For projects only in Chicago
- DEADLINE: 11:59 PM on 2/15/25
- Community Development Grant - Large
- Amount= $5,000,000+
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For projects only in Chicago
- DEADLINE: Rolling Basis
- Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment (BRITE) Program
- The grant award amount will vary per recommendation identified in the environmental report
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Specifically for dry-cleaning facility, auto body or auto repair shop, metal finisher, metal fabricator or food and beverage manufacturer located in suburban Cook County.
- DEADLINE: Rolling basis
- People of Color & Women of Color
- The Well Work x Justworks - Just Thrive Program
- Amount= Justworks Credits up to $6,000
- Must have at least two W2 employees
- DEADLINE: Rolling basis
- Wish Local Empowerment Program
- Amount= $500 - $2,000
- For Black-owned brick and mortar businesses with 20 or fewer employees
- DEADLINE: Rolling
- EmpowHer Grants
- Amount= Up to $25,000
- DEADLINE: 2/15/25
- IFundWomen Universal Grant
- Amount= $10,000
- DEADLINE: Rolling Basis
- Amber Grant Foundation
- Amount= $10,000-$25,000
- For ALL WOMEN
- Application Fee= $15
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Various options, learn more
- DEADLINE: 10:59 PM on 2/28/25
- Yippity Doo Big Idea Grant
- Amount= $1,000
- For women-owned businesses and female entrepreneurs
- DEADLINE: Rolling Basis
- HerRise MicroGrant
- Amount= $1,000
- Application Fee= $15
- DEADLINE: 2/28/25
- Annuity Payment Freedom Black & Minority Marketing Grant
- No cash component, free search engine optimization (SEO) evaluations & advice
- DEADLINE: Rolling basis
- Veteran-Owned Businesses
- Hivers and Strivers Capital Grant
- Amount= Capital Ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000
- DEADLINE: 2/28/25
- Restaurants
- DoorDash Restaurant Relief Disaster Relief Fund
- Amount= $10,000
- DEADLINE: 3/3/25
- Manufacturing
- Cook County Manufacturing Reinvented
- Amount= $5,000-$25,000
- DEADLINE: Rolling basis
If you need any assistance with grants or have further questions please contact us at illinoissbdc@chinesemutualaid.org
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Please schedule a counseling session or ask questions by emailing illinoisbdc@chinesemutualaid.org. Stay tuned for our next newsletter!
Sincerely,
The Economic Development Center at CMAA
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