How businesses can help terror prevention
Thursday, May 20
The 13th District Police requests all area business who utilize chemicals, fertilizers, flammable liquids, or pharaceuticals to attend this important workshop to learn tips and best practices for securing materials that could be useful in terrorism attacks. Mike Casey, Chicago Police Department terrorism specialist, and a representative from the FBI are presenters. Free, 10 am-12pm at ICNC with snacks and refreshments. Register here. |
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Make pay-per-click advertising profitable for your business
Wednesday, May 26
For anyone who has thought about using pay-per-click internet advertising or has used it with less success than they'd hoped. Learn keyword research, setting up an AdWords account, ad writing, and landing pages. These four skills will make your ads profitable and even fun to manage. Free; 10 am-12 pm at ICNC. Register here. |
| Focus on sales at ICNC's lead breakfast
Have you heard about our monthly lead breakfast? Each month more than 30 business people gather to build referrals and tell each other about their goods and services. This has become a popular event and very few spots are still available. To find out if your industry is represented or to get on the waiting list call or email ICNC. Doors open at 7:30 am. Event is 8-9:30 am at ICNC and free thanks to generous sponsorship from MB Financial. |
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Government contracting workshop
Thursday, May 27
The government spends more than $350 billion on goods and services every year. This workshop teaches you how your company can pursue some of that business, from identifying contract opportunities to marketing to government agencies and getting support for bidding and billing. Sponsored by the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the Women's Business Development Center. Free; 10-11:30 am at ICNC. Register here. |
| Controlling workers' compensation costs
Wednesday, June 16
Join new ICNC memberAdvanced Occupational Medicine Specialists for a free seminar on cutting insurance costs and getting employees back to work sooner. These sports medicine-trained physicians will show you how occupational health concepts including proper injury care and safe work practices can help reduce your overhead. Free, with complimentary snacks and refreshments. 10 am-12 pm at ICNC. Register here. |
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Delivering "WOW" customer service Wednesday, June 23
Learn how to differentiate your company through service that wows your clients and generates sales, loyalty, and referrals. Bruce Hodes of CMI Business Planning, with over 30 years in the service business, will show you how to make your company stand out and create real, lasting relationships with customers. Free, 9-10:30 am at ICNC. Register here. |
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.
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Kinzie Corridor and ICNC news |
Make a hire -- State pays wages through September
The Putting Illinois to Work program pays new employees $10 per hour until September 30; if you want to keep them on after that it's up to you. Many ICNC companies have already added to their workforce for free and ICNC can help you do the same. We'll find you an employee or you can send someone you want to hire and we'll do the processing. Go to ICNC's website or call us for details.
Tax breaks and incentives
Make sure your company is getting what it deserves for the investments it makes. Here are two incentives you should remember:
Energy efficiency: The Chicagoland Natural Gas Savings Program can refund People's Gas customers some of the money they spend for improvements such as furnaces, boilers, and insulation. This program can subsidize improvements at your business or in your home. Details here. HIRE Act: This is a social security tax exemption, so you don't pay the 6.2% for qualifying new hires for the rest of the year. IRS info here. Put Illinois to Work: This State program (see entry above) will pick up the entire tab for six months of wages if you hire a formerly unemployed worker. See the State's website for details.
More than $60,000 available to pay for employee training
The State of Illinois has allocated more than $60,000 that ICNC may reimburse directly to local companies to pay for up to half of their training expenses for new or existing employees. The paperwork is minimal and most trainings are eligible. We're here to help you get some of your tax money back. Call ICNC and ask about the Employer Training Investment Program, or ETIP.
Get local discounts for being an ICNC member
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.
City offers amnesty program for sign permits
Until October 15, businesses that have signs but no permits can get all the first year's permits free and pay no fines. If you don't want to worry about violations you can get your paperwork straightened out and be ready for next year. Call 744-6249 for details.
Would you use free English classes for your workforce?
ICNC would like to know if your company would be interested in free ESL classes for your employees. Please call Andrew at 312-421-3941 if you think you would take advantage of this free offering.
ICNC offers small business loan
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 or any other ICNC staff person.
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
 We'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.
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 money back for training expenses
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. |
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Other events and classifieds |
Help for federal research grants to small businesses: May 24-25
The federal government issues grants through the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to fund research and development of new technologies for health, defense, and other industries. The iBIO Institute is offering an intensive workshop over two days to prepare companies considering persuing this significant source of funding. 9am-4pm, $200. Information and registration here. |
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SBA small business resource event at Navy Pier: Tuesday, June 29
As part of the 47th Annual Illinois Small Business Week, the SBA is hosting a resource fair for small businesses at Navy Pier. Registration and agenda due out shortly, so save the date. |
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. Check with Andrew at ICNC or go to www.nearwestjobs.com.
ComEd energy efficiency expo: Wednesday, May 19
Excelon Chairman and CEO John W. Rowe kicks off this full-day event for companies and trade allies to learn about identifying and capturing energy savings in buildings and operations. Seminar tracks include financing projects, calculating payback, and evaluating construction and renovation for energy opportunities. $85: 7:30 am to 5 pm. More info here.
 Space available at ICNC's Fulton Carroll CenterCheck 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. ICNC also has office furniture and some antique items for sale. Call for details.
Other local space available
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- 4,000 square feet at 3028 W Carroll. 1st floor, 16-ft ceilings, $2,500/month. 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.
- Western/Fulton area partitioned spaces of less than 900 square feet for office, warehouse, or light production. $10/sf with all utilies included. 24 hr. access, inside dock. Click here for details, or call Jason at 312-243-3624.
Call ICNC at 312-421-3941
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. |
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