Chicago Business Center (CBC) at North River Commission

We are here to help you grow your business, from an idea to a second or third location!

¡Te ayudamos a emprender y hacer crecer tu negocio en tu propio idioma!

Economic Development staff at North River Commission

The Chicago Business Center (CBC) program is an initiative of the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to provide business licensing assistance and other resources to small businesses at a local level. North River Commission is one of eight business centers in the City of Chicago that help fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations.

CBC services include assistance with:

Licensing & permitting
Financing
Professional and Specialized Services
Support for new economies
Assistance recruiting skilled and qualified labor

Página en español

Licensing & Permitting

We serve as the bridge between business owners and BACP for all types of licenses from beginning to end. We have the right information about business licenses and permits, including which license is appropriate for each business type and activity.

Supporting New Economies

Our business relationships extend to home-based businesses. Successful home-based businesses have a high likelihood of seeking office space or a storefront as they grow. We support their growth and provide guidance on unique zoning and licensing requirements, introduce tenants to local property owners, and offer free marketing through ribbon cuttings and other events.

Professional and Specialized Services

We use our network of business advisors, chambers, institutions, business development organizations and incubators to make referrals and hold trainings to provide specialized, sector-specific resources to entrepreneurs in ENGLISH and SPANISH. We also deliver one-on-one services to help small businesses improve their technological capacity, whether growing their online and media presence or improving their security systems by sharing data and analysis on market trends, land-use, business formation and demographics.

Marketing & Promotion

We help promote our businesses through our email newsletters, website promotions, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and especial holiday and events newsletter (Valentine's Day, Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, December Holidays, etc.).

Financing

We connect businesses at all development stages to traditional and non-traditional funding sources, such as community and national banks, Community Development Financial Institutions, and when appropriate, we encourage businesses to consider crowdsourcing and KIVA for 0% interest loans.

Assistance with Recruiting Skilled and Qualified Labor

NRC works with workforce development agencies such as HANA Center, Latino Union’s Albany Park Workers Center, and Jane Addams Resource Corp. and we continue to grow strong partnerships in the Departments of Human Resources at local institutions like area hospitals, schools, and universities in order to help small businesses hire qualified workers.

Who does the Chicago Business Center serve?

EVERYONE! We are focused on the Northwest Side of Chicago and we work with other CBCs, Chambers of Commerce, and organizations around the city. Call us and we will help you or get you in contact with the right organization.

En North River Commission también hablamos español y ayudamos a personas de cualquier lugar de la ciudad que necesiten ayuda en su idioma.