Near West Side News 

  312-421-3941      October 2012

www.industrialcouncil.com 

This August, ICNC Executive Director Joyce Shanahan left the organization to pursue other opportunities. Joyce had served in the position since 1999, and was Director while ICNC made significant steps forward in building management, member recruitment, and increasing the scope and quality of services available to local businesses. The board and staff of ICNC thank Joyce for her service and wish her all the best in her new endeavors.

Welcome ICNC's New Executive Director,
Steve DeBretto

ICNC's Board of Directors has named longtime staff person Steve DeBretto as our organization's new Executive Director. Steve previously served as ICNC's head of membership, industrial retention representative, and most recently, as the first director of ICNC's Illinois SBDC International Trade Center. Steve brings years of experience and unlimited enthusiasm to his new role. Congratulations, Steve!

ICNC members and supporters sailed Lake Michigan and the Chicago River on September 6. Great weather, smooth water, and good company helped ensure lots of smiles. Thanks very much to event sponsors PNC Bank & Synergy Construction, and thanks to the nearly 200 of you who came on the cruise with us.

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Beginning in early 2013, ICNC will offer a new skills training series to businesses located within the Kinzie TIF District*, presented at no cost thanks to the City's TIFWorks program.      

The first two workshops, "Essential Management and Leadership Skills" and "Improving Internal Workplace Communication", are enrolling now. Your staff will learn key communication, negotiation, management, conflict resolution, and planning skills, ultimately increasing efficiency and boosting your bottom line. Workshops can be conducted on-site at your facility and tailored to your business's unique needs.

All ICNC Members are encouraged to learn more about this exciting opportunity.  Click the "Learn More" button to get started! 

*Not all locations will be eligible.  View this map to see if your business is located in an eligible TIF District. 

Chicago's overseas shipments grew 17% to $39.5 billion last year, according to a recent report from the U.S. Commerce Department. Chicago is the nation's seventh largest export-producing region, despite being an inland city.

If you recognize the potential in exporting your product, as Chicago business people increasingly are, it's time to utilize the International Trade Center at ICNC. We'll help identify the best markets for your product, generate lead lists, ensure regulatory compliance, navigate NAFTA, and create custom reports addressing your export needs... all at no cost to you.

The ITC at ICNC assisted in securing $29 million in exports last year. Find out what we can do for you: contact ICNC's International Trade Center today.

Saddled with unwanted slag, gray water, or off-spec product? These materials can generate revenue. The Greater Chicago Waste to Profit Network is a membership-driven organization that identifies synergies between the waste of one industry and the raw materials needed for another, and facilitates sales between the two at great value to both. Some examples:

• A cement manufacturer uses the slag from a steel mill in its process, resulting in a 10% increase in production and a 30-40% decrease in nitrogen oxide emissions.
• A brick manufacturer uses incinerated cow bone ash from meat processing plants, industrial ash, and water treatment residue to create a new product line of recycled "eco-bricks," diverting 16,000 tons of waste from landfills each year.

Free trial memberships are currently available to Chicago's industrial businesses. Realize the profit potential in your by-products: learn more at wtpnetwork.org and attend their focus meeting at IIT Downtown on October 17^th.  

Wednesday, Oct. 17th, 8:00am-Noon 

IIT Downtown Campus

565 W. Adams St.

Register Here 

You can now track the status of requests made to the City for services like graffiti removal, pothole repairs, and sewer cave-in inspections online. Requests made to 311 or to this service request site will give you a 10-digit tracking number. Enter this number into the City's mobile-friendly 311 Service Tracker to see if a work crew has been dispatched or if the request is under review. You can also enter your email to receive a notification when the status changes.

Goldman Sachs 10,000

Carmen Maldonado of La Criolla Foods recently graduated the 10K Small Businesses program.

Small Businesses is a comprehensive business development program providing education, capital, and support services. Participants in this highly selective program receive all services at no-cost, thanks to an endowment from Goldman Sachs.

ICNC Member La Criolla Foods recently graduated the program, and has enjoyed a 50% increase in sales thanks to its new growth plan. Want to find out what 10,000 Small Businesses can do for you? Apply before the October 15th deadline!

The Mayor's office recently announced the Chicago Broadband Challenge, a plan to make the city a digital leader by building access to ultra-high speed internet. 15 commercial and industrial areas have been identified as "Innovation Zones", to benefit from improved technological infrastructure and low-cost broadband service. To this end, the City has released a Request for Information (RFI) from businesses, universities, and nonprofits to help outline its long-term plan. The City also plans to expand residential broadband service to disadvantaged areas and to provide free Wi-Fi access in all parks and open spaces.

Check out ICNC Tenant Michael Grucza's sculpture Shapeshifter, on display along the lakefront in Grant Park! Michael's piece has been installed as part of the 23rd Annual International Sculpture Conference (ISC), to be held in Chicago this month. Congratulations!

www.gruczasculpture.com  

www.gruczastudios.com

• Better Methods Supply has a 1250 sq. ft. (25'x50') secured parking pen for rent near 1948 W. Fulton. The pen is enclosed with corrugated steel and large enough to fit two straight trucks or about four work vans. Call Jeff at 312-829-3000 for more.

ICNC's always-popular Lead Breakfast returns on Thursday, November 15^th. The Lead Breakfast is your chance to introduce your company and demonstrate a product to dozens of other business owners at once. Find buyers, find vendors, or just find out what's new in the Kinzie Corridor. Space fills up quickly, so register today!

Thursday, November 15th  

8:00am-9:30am  

ICNC

320 N. Damen Ave.   

Thanks to our sponsor: 

Month's theme of Art Block by Block, the gallery has put out a call to showcase Chicagoland artists that work with map-based imagery.  Read more. 

Friday, October 5th 

6:00pm 

Kinzie Corridor Gallery  

(2010 West Carroll)

This show features more than 100 national fabric and trim resources that cater to small businesses. This service to the sewn products industry allows Chicago entrepreneurs, as well as manufacturers, the opportunity to purchase and review fabric locally, at wholesale prices. Click here to register for this FREE event. 

Thursday, October 18th, 9am-5pm

Friday, October 19th, 9am-4pm

Merchandise Mart Conference Center

350 N. Orleans

For more info call 312-421-3941 or email [email protected]

320 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL. 60612

www.industrialcouncil.com