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Toast to ICNC's Founders and Supporters from way back at Mart Anthony's
Tuesday, September 21st
Join us for beers and tasty italian delicacies as we celebrate  those who made ICNC what it is today ... our past board members and long-term members/supporters from the 60's to the present.  Connect with old friends and neighbors and meet new ones, with some Smooth Jazz music playing in the background. All at no cost thanks to our sponsors, WLFM radio, First Chicago bank and Goose Island Beer. Click here to rsvp or contact ICNC. (we'd appreciate an rsvp, but last minute stragglers are also welcome). 4:30-6:30 pm at Mart Anthony's, 1200 W. Hubbard. |
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Focus on sales at ICNC's Lead Breakfast
Thursday, September 30th
Have you heard about our lead breakfast series here at ICNC?
It's been a great success! Each month more than 30 business people
 gather to build referrals and tell each other about their goods and services. RSVP now, as this event fills up fast! So don't miss out this time! Reserve your place now by registering here or contacting ICNC. Doors open at 7:30 am. Event is 8-9:30 am. This event is free thanks to generous sponsorship from MB Financial. |
Healthcare Reform:
What does it mean for Small Employers?
Thursday, September 30th
10-11:30 am
Confused about Healthcare reform and what it means to your business?
to give us an overview of the new legislation and what it will mean for small businesses. This event is FREE, but please rsvp here or to ICNC. |
Workspace Collaboration -- Tech Tools
Wednesday, October 13Learn about the latest and best ways to allow your employees to collaborate, work from multiple locations, and be more efficient. Online applications like Microsoft SharePoint let the whole office work on documents, manage projects,  and see what each other is doing. You'll learn about this application and others and have a chance to ask questions about the best way for your business to take advantage of this new technology. 9-10:30 am. Presented by ICNC member MXOtech. RSVP here. |
| ICNC Openhouse & Ribbon Cutting
Wednesday, October 20
3:30-6:30 pm
Grab your calender and put a big red circle around October 20th. That's the date when we officially cut the ribbon on our cool new Damen Ave. space...it's your space too , so come check it out!We'll have music, drinks , food, raffle prizes plus a tour of our swanky new offices and quite possibly a guest VIP or two! The date again is Wednesday, October 20th, from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. Official ribbon cutting and dedication is scheduled for 5 pm sharp! To RSVP, click here or contact ICNC. |
Great News! ICNC to assist companies with exporting
ICNC is excited to announce that we have received a new grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to run an International Trade Center. The ITC will allow us to assist companies in researching and accessing foreign markets for their goods and services. Steve DeBretto, who formerly handled ICNC's member services, has accepted the position as director of the new ITC and is eager to meet companies already exporting or wishing to do so. |
Landscaping moratorium for existing businesses
Earlier this year the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance declaring a moratorium on the fencing and landscaping requirements for existing buildings. Local companies applying for permits for new construction should be aware that they will still be required to comply with the zoning ordinance requirements for landscaping and fencing. Existing businesses will be expected to comply once the moratorium expires in June of 2012. |
Get Help Selling to the City
The City of Chicago has created two new tools to provide businesses with information on how to successfully contract with the City. The Guide to Procurement Fundamentals explains what the City buys and from whom, and how you can participate. The 2010-2011 Buying Plan & Resource Guide gives you a preview of what the City plans to buy over the next year so you can be ready. Both documents can be downloaded from the City's procurement department website. Call ICNC for assistance with selling to the government. |
$2,500 Tax Credit for New Hires
Illinois has instituted a new tax credit of $2,500 for new full-time employees hired during the 12-month period beginning July 1, 2010. The credit is available for companies employing 50 or fewer total employees and can be carried forward.
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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.
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. This month's featured deal is offered by new ICNC member Speedpro Imaging Chicago, a high-end large format digital imaging studio. They're offering ICNC members 15% off their first order. 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, which is only available 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 312-744-6249 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.
ICNC can 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 grant,the following classes are available at no charge! But space is limited, so sign up today!
Introduction to Web Design course focusing on the overall web site production processes, design elements involving layout, navigation and interactivity.
September 24: Computer Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices
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 |
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Midwest Clean Tech 2010
Do you have a green business? Then save the date for Midwest Clean Tech 2010, in conjuction with the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show. September 14-15, 2010. McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Click here for agenda and to register online.
Ecolit Open House
September 16th and 17th, 1-8 pm
Stop by local LED lighting company ECOLIT's new showroom at 1945 W. Fulton and see their cutting edge selection of LED products. For more information call 312-492-7010.
Entrepreneurial Women's Conference
The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC),
 invites you to the 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's
Conference, Wednesday, September 22nd . This year's event offers women business owners solutions to the current problems they are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts, and other women business owners. Click here for more info.
Explore Fulton Market
Saturday, October 9, 2010 from 12 noon to 5 P.M.
Chicagoans and visitors alike are invited to discover the area that is home to some of the city's most innovative galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. For more information, click here. Chicago Public Schools Free Things Program Crippled by budget cuts and a lack of funding, a growing number of schools are facing a serious shortage of school supplies. The Free Things program accepts gently used and new donations and distributes them to requesting CPS schools.
Sale! Used industrial equipment and antiques
ICNC members Bottega Del Vino and Andr�s Imaging are holding a garage sale where you'll find welding machines, cutting tools, abrasives, fasteners, and thousands of feet of cable. If you're looking for antiques, there'll be furniture and silver for your office or home. Sale is Friday, September 17 from 9 am-5 pm and Saturday, September 18 from 9 am-3 pm. Call Liz at 773-435-7600 x 658 for details.
Recycle Old Computer and Electronics
Wondering what to do with those old computers and monitors cluttering up the supply room? Contact Anthony Pontillo at AcmeScrap 773-523-4500 . They specialize in taking apart and recycling exactly these types of materials, often at NO COST!
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 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 our current ICNC offices, a 5,642 square-foot space with 10 built out offices and private restrooms for only $2821 per month. Check it out here! We also have 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. These are just a few examples of the spaces we have availabel. Call ICNC for an appointment to see this or other spaces.
Other local space available
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. 9,000 - 108,000 at 1000 W Fulton from $4-6/sf. 360,000 total available. Call Eric Johnstone at 312-676-1874 for information. 27,000 sf industrial space at 1747 W Carroll with offices, parking: $1,595,000. Call Michael Senner at Colliers for info: 847-698-8234.
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. |
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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