ICNC summer luncheon and boat cruise combined
 This year ICNC is moving its annual summer luncheon -- usually held at Galleria Marchetti -- to Lake Michigan. And now it's a dinner; we're changing the time to 4:30 so you can enjoy both food and cocktails while watching the beautiful Chicago skyline go by.
Thursday, July 22
4:30-6:30 pm
330 N. Wabash on the river
(near Trump Tower)
$60
Thanks to sponsorship by MB Financial, tickets are only $60 (non-members $70) and include the two-hour cruise, open bar, and a hot buffet.
Special thanks to event sponsor. |
This is one of our members' favorite events and tickets go quickly. Special rates are available for group ticket purchases if space allows; call ICNC for details. |
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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. |
Selling to the CTA: Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE)
Tuesday, July 13 The Chicago Transit Authority must make a certain percentage of its purchases from women- and minority-owned firms that are certified as Disadvantaged Business  Enterprises. This is a good way to start with government contracting. What's more, the same certification is good for selling to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Metra, PACE, and the City of Chicago. The CTA will be at ICNC to help firms learn about and begin the process; don't miss it! Free, 9:30-11 am. Register here. |
Where's mine? -- FREE stuff for your business
 Wednesday, July 14Did you know that within two miles of your company,
in the last year, your neighbor businesses have received:
- more than $1 MILLION in matching grants to improve their buildings.
- 100 plus FREE employees (the state pays them until October).
- FREE classes in WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, PHOTOSHOP, QUICKBOOKS & WEBDESIGN (more than 200 employees trained).
- expert help in working with (and sometimes challenging) City Hall.
- marketing help including building lead lists for your sales team (yep it's free too!).
- no charge assistance in obtaining loans, including SBA, conventional and micro.
- below market rental space at an award winning business incubator.
- improved sidewalks, signage, roads, transportation and safety.
- thousands of $$$ in FREE radio publicity.
Find out what you've been missing at this unique FREE breakfast event (free bagels, free coffee, free fruit) plus a chance to win two FREE tickets to the ICNC boat cruise!
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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.
| Small business spotlight
Chicago Electric Bicycles While John LaStarge was serving in Afghanistan he had a dream of bringing electric bicycles to Chicago. Now he's back in town and has made his dream a reality. Check out John's selection of electric bikes at www.chicagoelectricbicycles.com or stop by his new store at 1324 W. Grand Avenue for a test drive. Call John at 708-653-8629 for more information and don't forget to ask him about his lakefront tours! |
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Kinzie Corridor and ICNC news |
No cost help for your company -- State pays wages through September
The Putting Illinois to Work program pays new employees $10 per hour through September 30; if you want to keep them on after that it's up to you. ICNC-area companies have already brought on nearly 200 workers through this free program and we can help you do the same. We'll find you an employee or you can send someone you want to hire (see requirements) and we'll do the processing. Go to ICNC's website or call us for details.
City accepting facade rebate grant applications
Deadline July 30
Companies not in the Kinzie TIF district may be eligible for grants of up to $20,000 to pay for 50% of facade improvements such as tuckpointing, windows, and signage. ICNC is happy to help you with your application; check out the City's website for program details. Tax breaks and incentives
Make sure your company is getting what it deserves for the investments it makes. Here are three 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 ICNC's website
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.
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
Thanks to ICNC's Digital Divide program,the following classes are available at no charge! But space is very limited, so sign up today!
 July 9: Computer tips, tricks, and best practices
Covers hardware, software, desktop, laptop, and handhelds. Learn about operating systems, search engine usage, and Microsoft Office tips.
July 16: Excel level 3
For more advanced users who want to learn pivot tables, analytical options, and macros.
July 23: Beginning Web design
From registering a domain to creating and editing your first web pages, this class covers all the basics you need to get your site up and running.
July 30: Introduction to Quickbooks
For the new Quickbooks user who wants to learn to set up an account, create customers and vendors, write checks, and create financial reports.
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 |
POW! Mixed Martial Arts open house and blood drive: Tuesday, June 22
New ICNC member POW! is hosting an open house at its location at 950 W. Washington. Stop by to learn about martial arts like muay thai, jiu jitsu, and other styles. They will also be running a blood drive. Open house is from 4-8:30 pm. Call 312-829-7699 or go to www.powkickboxing.com for details. |
27th Ward business expo: Thursday, June 24
Alderman Walter Burnett is hosting the 2nd annual 27th Ward Business Fair to provide information and resources to businesses in the Ward. Representatives from City departments will be present to help with licensing, permitting, and other requests, and local banks and service organizations that can assist growing businesses will be on hand. Free, 10 am to 3 pm at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Call Jesse Smart at 312-432-1995 for details. |
UIC Family Business Council Succession planning workshop: Thursday, June 24
This workshop will address shareholder, buy-sell, and employment agreements and how to coordinate and include them in successful business succession plan. Free, 10 am - 12 pm at 330 N Wabash. 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, featuring business awards, lenders, and matchmaking for products and services. Free at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. For information go to https://www.bmmreg.com/SBASmallBusinessWeek. |
Kinzie Corridor Art Walk: August 14 and 15
The Art walk gives local artists a chance to open their doors to the public and all artists the opportunity to show their work to the public in booths on Carroll Avenue from 11 am to 7 pm. ICNC will be sponsoring a "Bounce House" for children. Go to www.kinziecorridorarts.com for information or to register. |
 Space available at ICNC's Fulton Carroll CenterCheck ICNC's website for low-cost incubator space with free business assistance and resources, located at the Fulton Carroll Center.
Current spaces available include a 2,351 square-foot unit  with 12' ceilings on the second floor. Monthly rent is $1,439 and includes heat. The unit has lots of sunlight from windows that look out on Damen Avenue, and there are wood floors throughout. Call ICNC for an appointment to see this or other spaces.
Other local space available
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3,950 sf zoned PMD-4 at 413 N. Carpenter: $4,900/month. 14-foot ceilings, exposed brick, parking. Call Marga Amberg at 312-666-4072 x 102 for details.
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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.
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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