icncheader
Call ICNC at 312-421-3941 for more information or to RSVP for ICNC events listed here.
 
2010 ICNC February luncheon at Coyne
CoyneRSVP today for the ICNC membership luncheon. Our keynote speaker is Norma Reyes, who heads the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. She'll speak about the City's initiatives to ease business regulations. Join us for our membership luncheon to discuss that and other issues. Tickets $45 in advance. Tickets at door $55.  
  
Friday, February 26
11:30 a.m.
Coyne American Institute
330 N. Green Street
 
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 Special thanks to our event sponsor:
 Ravenswood Bank
 * Showcase your company at the luncheon *
ICNC wants to show the world what its member companies, make, do, and sell. We're collecting photographs and logos to display at the February luncheon and on the website. Send two or three photos along with your logo and a sentence or two that describes your business. Email Steve your photos or call with questions.
 
 Upcoming ICNC workshops and events
Please RSVP to any of these events by clicking on the RSVP link or by calling ICNC at 312-421-3941.
 
Recession or Reinvention? Marketing in a tough economy
Wednesday, February 17WCPT
Learn the value of reinventing your business and branding in a tough economy. Attendees will learn about the strengths and weaknesses of various media and how to create a marketing strategy that is trackable and affordable. 10 a.m. to noon. Please RSVP. This workshop is sponsored by WCPT Radio.
 
Meeting with local police: Tuesday, February 23
Join local companies and police to discuss business safety and crime issues. 3-4 p.m.
Please RSVP.
 
Find money in your financial statements: Wednesday, February 24
Discover what your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements say about your company's financial health, and learn to benchmark and increase profits; with CPA Judith Gabuea. 12-1:30 p.m. Please RSVP.
 
Starting a business in Illinois: Thursday, March 4
Learn the steps needed to start a new business, including licensing and financing; featuring local attorneys and bankers. 9-11 a.m. Please RSVP.
 
Kinzie women business owners: Cooking classes and fun at Amazing Edibles: Wednesday, March 24
amazing_ediblesMeet other women running businesses in the Kinzie Corridor while you make and taste delicious tapas in the catering kitchen of a local business owner, Andrea Herrera. While eating and learning about local sustainable agriculture, we will celebrate the many contributions made by ICNC board member Barbara Rose of S.N. Peck, both to ICNC and numerous women's advocacy and food groups. 5-7 p.m. at 2419 W. 14th St. $20, please RSVP as space is limited. 
  
 
ICNC seminars are supported in part by the City of Chicago's Department of Community Development and by the State of Illinois' Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
 
amazing_edibles
City seal
 
 
Kinzie Corridor business news and ICNC updates
 
Licensing problems close local businesses
Local business owners operating out of Kitchen Chicago, a commercial kitchen and recent arival to the Kinzie Corridor, watched City inspectors destroy thousands of dollars of inventory on February 4th. Business owners, who had invited the City inspectors to the kitchen as part of the process for obtaining their business licenses, lost everything they had been preparing to sell. See the Tribune's coverage of the incident here. ICNC is seeking meetings with officials from the City's Health and Licensing departments to help ensure that start-ups don't get put out of business by inconsistent rules or inconsistent enforcement.
 
ICNC family businesses find support from UIC group
ICNC board member Burt Klein of PortionPac invites owners of family businesses to learn about the UIC Family Business Council, a resource he values: "This economy is currently the greatest challenge to our business and I am looking for any advantage to help my business and me personally. There are four ICNC businesses (Berthold Electric, Diana's Bananas, Mellish & Murray and PortionPac) that belong to the UIC Family Business Council. The Council acts as my informal board of directors, giving me different perspectives, ideas and experiences to bring to my company."
 
You can go to a discussion the group is hosting on Wednesday, February 17, where a small group of business owners will share their experiences facing adversity and how they persevered. It's a discussion inspired by Jim Collins' new book "How the Mighty Fall." Information about the event is here, and you can find out more about the Family Business Council here.
 
ICNC member-to-member discount program growing!
Save money and shop locally!
One of the best parts of ICNC membership is finding local sources for goods and services and selling your products or services to your neighbors. Check out the member to member discount page of ICNC's website to take advantage of deals on food, office supplies, and even fitness. Email Steve with your company logo and a description of your discount if you'd like to participate in the program. This program is only open to current ICNC members. 
 
Looking for Alternative Sources of Finance?
ICNC has re-invigorated its Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. Businesses located in the Kinzie Corridor can apply for amounts up to $12,500. The range of interest rates is Prime -1.00% to Prime + 5% with a maximum term of 36 months. For more information please contact Denise by phone at 312.421.3941 or email [email protected].
 
Let ICNC find qualified employees for your job openings
ICNC's business employment services can make your hiring easier. Tell us about your job openings and we can advertise and screen resumes. Then, we'll even interview candidates and do reference and background checks on the ones you're interested in. You just make the final decision. Best of all, it's at no cost to you. Call Priscilla today to get started.

Free computer classes at ICNC
ComputerWe've added many new free classes, so you and your employees can get the most out of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Photoshop, ACT! or Quickbooks.  
Register for clases on ICNC's website or call Sallie to request a new class.
  
 
Wanted: ICNC members for 2010
Thank you to the hundreds of 2009 ICNC members, old and new. Your support helps us improve the business environment of the Kinzie Corridor and to bring more of your tax dollars back to the neighborhood. Join or renew now for 2010 or call Steve at 312-421-3941 to discuss membership. Current members please make sure your company's information is listed correctly on our online membership directory. E-mail Steve with any corrections.
 
Get employee training expenses reimbursed
Two programs can help ICNC area companies get from 50-100% reimbursement for employee training costs. The City of Chicago's TIFWorks program is available for companies in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor Tax Increment Financing District, and the State of Illinois' Employee Training Investment Program is for companies throughout the state. Call ICNC for assistance with these and other programs. We'll help make sure more of your tax dollars come back to the neighborhood. 
 
 
Classifieds
 
Targeting 27th and 2nd Ward residents for local employer: Over 80 jobs!
ICNC is recruiting 27th/2nd ward residents for a number of positions with an area medical center.  Positions vary - from clerical work to food service, maintenance, security, health care and much more.   Stay tuned for upcoming job fairs and more information on ICNC's website and/or forward your resume to [email protected].  
 
Learn to navigate your business taxes: March 3
Especially for micro-business owners. From deductions to tax code changes, learn what you need to know before filing. 9:30-11:30. Details and registration here.
 
 
FCC buildingSpace available at ICNC's Fulton Carroll Center
Check ICNC's website for low-cost incubator space with free business assistance and resources. We also keep a list of neighborhood properties for sale or lease. Let us know if you have something you'd like included on the list.
 
 
 
  
Other local space available
4,000 square feet at 3028 W Carroll; ground floor with 16-ft ceilings, 2 overhead doors. New electric (400 amp 3-phase). $2,500/month, zoned M1-2. Call Terry at 312-428-1192. Live/work space (700 sf apartment w/1,900 sf of warehouse/garage space) also available at 3026 W Carroll.
 
ICNC member just west of Western Avenue has partitioned spaces of less than 900 square feet for office, warehouse, or light production at $10/sf with all utilies included. 24 hr. access, inside dock. Click here for details, or call Jason at 312-243-3624.
  
For more information about any of these events contact ICNC at 312-421-3941 or by e-mail at [email protected].
 
ICNC is located on the second floor of the Fulton Carrol Center, 2010 W. Fulton St., Ste. 280, Chicago, IL 60612.