The following are several resources that may be helpful for your business!
Albany Park
Join the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce! The Chamber's mission is to support, promote, and advocate for local businesses in the Albany Park and Mayfair communities. As a program of North River Commission (NRC), the chamber works together with NRC's development affiliate, the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR), to beautify and physically improve our commercial districts, stimulate development, and make Albany Park a premier destination for culture, dining, shopping, and entertainment on Chicago's northwest side. Click here to download an application.
Renovation Grant Programs - The Albany Park Chamber of Commerce works with NRC and LADCOR to promote two renovation grant programs, the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF), with which we have helped complete more than 30 renovations and leveraged nearly $10 million since SBIF opened in 2001, and the City of Chicago's Facade Rebate Program.
SBIF - Receive a grant of up to $150,000 or up to 75% of your storefront renovation project costs (including all construction fees, permits, architectural drawings, etc.) The SBIF grant is funded through the local Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF), and available to eligible* commercial tenants, owner/landlords and property owners for eligible* interior and exterior storefront renovations. To determine your eligibilty and enroll in the SBIF program, call the Chamber at (773) 478-0202. Visit SomerCor's website for a complete list eligible businesses and applicants, a full application, program rules, renovation guidelines and a SBIF maps. *Call SBIF Directors John Paulun or Derrik Walvoord at (312) 360-3305 for program requirements.
FACADE REBATE PROGRAM - Receive a grant of up to $10,000 for eligble exterior renovations to your storefront. This program is great for highly visible, impactful exterior projects. Remove or install new signage and lighting, restore and clean your terra cotta exterior, power wash or tuckpoint your brick facade and more! The Facade Program is available to all businesses in the City of Chicago located outside of a TIF district. Call the Chamber to determine your eligibility at (773) 478-0202. Click here to see before and after pictures of Albany Park business participants.
Chicago Resources
· Apply or Renew Your Business License Online - The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) provides a fast and easy online application to streamline your renewal and application process. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Finances, Loans - The Office of the City Treasurer manages the Small Business Loan Program and keeps a list of the participating banks (including Albany Park Chamber of Commerce member Albany Bank & Trust Co, N.A.member FDIC). The Treasurer's Office hosts a yearly Small Business Expo, a business plan writing competition, and a mentorship program connecting you to Chicago business leaders from sectors as diverse as banking, technology, manufacturing, and the environment. Call the Treasurer's Office at (312) 744-3356.
Free Business Education Workshops - BACP hosts dozens of free business education workshops every month covering a variety of topics including: marketing, website creation, financial resource connection, writing a business plan, certification with the City of Chicago and D/M/WBE, and more. Monthly calendars are available here. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
D/M/WBE Certification - Learn how to become a certified Disadvantaged/Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise with the City of Chicago through the Department of Procurement Services. They can be reached at (312) 744-4900.
License and Permit Information - BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides an online business license look-up database, runs public way use programs, and more. To secure a permit (repair/replace, demolition, new construction, etc.) contact the Department of Buildings. Use their online "Easy Permit Process" to access the list of permits. Call Department of Business at (312) 743-3600.
Restaurant Resource Center - Do you own a restaurant? Are you thinking about opening one? Visit BACP's Restaurant Resource Center to apply or renew your license, read info about liquor licenses, review sanitation and safety requirements and checklists, view results of health inspections, connect to the Illinois Restaurant Association, and more! Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Starting Your Own Business - BACP's Business Resource Center connects you to licensing information, a business resource list, and a downloadable Guide to Starting a Business. Call BACP at (312) 744-4006.
Zoning and Economic Development - Is your business located in a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District? What uses are allowed on your property? The Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning's website provides an interactive zoning map of the City of Chicago that answers all these questions and more. Contact a zoning liaison to ask specific zoning questions at (312) 744-5777.
For more information on City of Chicago departments and services, contact 3-1-1, your local Alderman, or visit www.cityofchicago.org
Small Business Development Centers offer more intensive, hands-on assistance with specific issues, including: creating and writing your business plan, organizing your finances, packaging a loan, and much more. Below is a list of SBDCs that can give you one-on-one attention to the details of your business that you can't afford to overlook.
Chicago Community Ventures (CCV) - http://www.chiventures.org,
email:
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Works on loan assitance, referrals and small business loans, business plans, loan packaging, seminars & workshops, classroom trainings and more.
105 W. Adams Street (entrance on Clark), Suite 2300, Chicago, IL 60603
T: (312) 960-0320, F: (312) 960-0310
Works on loan assistance and referrals, business plans, loan packaging, seminars & workshops, classroom trainings, and more.
4520 N. Beacon (parking in adjacent lot), Chicago, IL 60640
Contact Curtis Roeschley, Director or Tom Ullman, Business Specialist
T: (773) 561-3500
PRCCI develops, assists, and promotes Hispanic business interests, and other businesses in the State of Illinois. Works on capital funding, financial planning, insurance, business planning, marketing, technology, and MBE/WBE certification.
2622 W. Division St., Chicago, Illinois 60622
Contact Miersa Cuevas, Executive Director
T: (773) 486-1331, F: (773) 486-1340
Works on loan assistance and referrals, business plans, loan packaging, seminars & workshops, classroom trainings, and more.
8 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60603
T: (312) 853-3477
State of Illinois Resources
· The State of Illinois' Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is the lead state agency responsible for improving Illinois' competitiveness in the global economy. DCEO administers a wide range of programs, services, and initiatives designed to create and retain high quality jobs and build strong communities. DCEO leads the Illinois economic development process in partnership with businesses, local governments, workers and families.
Business Development - DCEO Business Development Liaisons can connect you to a variety of loan programs, tax assistance, tax structure resources, and more available for your business.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business - DCEO's Illinois Entrepreneurship Network provides assistance for financing, business planning, marketing and product development, training, business assessment, counseling, networking, and much more. You can find a helpful list including local Entrepreneurship Center, Small Business Development Centers, International Trade Centers, and Manufacturing Extension Centers.
Workforce Development - The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. A comprehensive list of employee/employer resources is available.
Technology - The Bureau of Technology and Industrial Competitiveness helps Illinois businesses, entrepreneurs, and citizens to succeed in a changing economy by: developing the skills of their workers; promoting safe and healthy workplaces; assisting in the commercialization of new technologies; and providing access to modernizing technologies and practices.
For more information and a full list of services and resources available from DCEO, please call (312) 814-7179 or contact DCEO's Northeastern Illinois Regional Manager, Robert Anderson at (312) 814-7129.
Federal Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.
SBA's Chicago office at (312) 353-4528.
Small Business Planner - Plan, start, manage or close your business with SBA's Small Business Planner. Receive assistance to write a business plan, buy a franchise, secure licenses and permits, pay taxes, find a mentor, market and sell your business, file bankrupcy, sell your business, and much more.
Grow and Expand Your Business - SBA programs and services support you, the small business person. Learn about SBA-backed loans, government contracting opportunities, disaster assistance and training programs to help your business succeed.
Increase Your Knowledge and Productivity - SBA's Business Tool Kit provides you with a wealth of information unique to small business through monthly chat events, electronic newsletters, podcasts and a myriad of business resources to support your business needs.
Programs 
