|
|
|
Near West Side News
 312-421-3941  December 2012
|
|
|
Register Now for ICNC's Holiday Party:
Thurs., December 13th!
Join us for our annual holiday celebration at Garfield Park Conservatory! Meet your fellow ICNC Members and enjoy food, drinks, and holiday cheer, all at no cost (though you may want to bring money for the silent auction)!
Thursday, Dec. 13th - 5:30-7:30pm
Garfield Park Conservatory: 300 N. Central Park Ave.
|
ICNC's Free EMT Training Course Returns in 2013
|
|
Don't Forget: Renew Your ICNC Membership for 2013
The New Year is almost here! If you haven't already, it may be time to renew your business's ICNC Membership. Your Membership dues are a key part of ICNC's operating budget, supporting job-creating economic development activities year-round and helping to keep the Kinzie Industrial Corridor a great place to do business. A reminder of some of the benefits of ICNC Membership: - Advance notice of grants and financial incentives available to businesses
- Input on infrastructure and zoning decisions in our neighborhood
- Free or discounted informational and networking events
- Dozens of unique Member-to-Member discounts on goods and services
- Placement in our Online Directory
- Connection to a network of over 400 other Member businesses
Please watch your mailbox and email inbox for a 2013 Membership invoice, or renew online via PayPal at any time. For questions about your last posted payment or amount of dues owed, email [email protected] or call (312) 421-3941. |
 Take the Pledge: Eat, Drink, and Buy Local Local First Chicago invites you to Unwrap Chicago this holiday season. Take the pledge to shift some of your holiday shopping dollars to locally owned stores, restaurants, and entertainment vendors, and together we'll generate millions of dollars of economic activity in Chicago. Visit their website to see participating vendors, upcoming events, and find out how your neighborhood is getting involved. |
|
ICNC's No-Cost Skills Training Series
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!
|
|
Austin Polytech to Receive $1.25 Million in Unused TIF Funds
Austin Polytechnical Academy on Chicago's West Side will receive a financial  boost from returned TIF funds. United Airlines recently returned to the City over $5 million in unused TIF funds it had been awarded, $1.25 million of which will go to the Academy. Austin Polytech is a career prep high school with a focus on advanced manufacturing, engineering, and skills for the 21st century economy. The school works with over 60 industry partners, and hopes to kickstart a slate of new programs with the funds.
|
|
Exporting to Canada: Getting Started
Illinois companies exported $19.5 billion worth of goods and services to Canada last year, a 30% increase over 2010. Find out how your company can take advantage of a market that's close, growing, and eager to buy U.S. products. Attendees will learn how to locate and qualify  buyers, navigate NAFTA and other paperwork, and handle the logistics and financing of sales. You'll also receive a free "Roadmap to Canada" brief customized for your company's product and access to no-cost one-on-one consulting to turn your export plans into export sales.
Wednesday, December 12th
9:00am-11:00am (doors open at 8:30 for coffee and networking)
ICNC
320 N. Damen Ave.
|
Sign-up for No-Cost Computer Classes
Upcoming classes include:
December No-Cost Classes
|
Social Media/Digital Marketing
MS PowerPoint
MS Excel 1 & 2
MS Word
|
Tuesday-December 4: 12pm-4pm
Thursday-December 6: 12pm-4pm
Tuesday-December 11: 11am-4pm
Thursday-December 18: 12pm-4pm
|
|
|
Enjoy These Holiday Member-to-Member Discounts!
ICNC Members can take advantage of several unique discounts from their fellow Member businesses this holiday season. Be sure to visit the companies below! - Safari Cup Coffee Roasters is offering 10% off its Santa Sack gift bundles with the code SAFARI2012.
- Carline Leathers will be open by appointment only, with a minimum 20% discount on coats
 to ICNC Members. (312) 343-2222 for appointment. - Ashland Addison Florist will offer a 10% discount on orders using the code ICNC10.
- Ineeka Tea will give Members a 10% discount on most products. Please email [email protected] or call (773) 800-1554 to place order and have shipping costs waived.
- Das Foods offers 15% off orders of $25 or more, on a variety of items like Fleur de Sel caramels and gourmet finishing salts. Email [email protected] or call (312) 224-8590.
- Ritz Car Wash at 2622 W. Chicago Ave. will take 20% off all services for ICNC Members.
- KoreFit will offer its Demo Systems for just $100 this season ($329 retail value). [email protected] or (312) 243-5348 for details.
- Element Bars will give a 15% discount to Members with online checkout code ICNC15.
- Clark Street Sports will give 20% off to FCC Tenants who stop by Mon.-Fri. 9:00a-5:00p (Fulton-Carroll Center suite F-310).
Check out ongoing Member-to-Member discounts on our website. If you'd like to offer a discount on goods or services to ICNC Members, email [email protected]. |
Holiday Charitable Efforts
Our Members are choosing to give a little more this holiday season, and could use your help. Consider donating time or resources to the causes below. Happy Holidays! |
Sunlight of the Spirit Winter Collection Drive
Sunlight of the Spirit is in need of your support. S.O.S. houses 200 men and women in partnership with its mother agency, Jack Clark's Family. They are currently collecting blankets, twin sheets, pillows, and hygiene items as part of their regular winter drive. Men's jeans and clothing (slightly used) are needed for the Community Closet, which provides clothing to men reentering the community. S.O.S. also provides gifts to the residents for their children and the broader Lawndale community, and will create and distribute over 5,000 food boxes this season.
If you or your business has items they'd like to donate, they may be drooped off at S.O.S.'s 3200 W. Fulton location Monday through Friday, or email [email protected] to schedule a pick up! You may also call Tim or Denise at (773) 252-2877 or Robert at (773) 809-2721.
Framework Communications/Greater Chicago Food Depository Food Drive
Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly Holiday Parties Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is gearing up for the holidays with three parties on Christmas Day for Chicago seniors who would otherwise have nowhere to go on Christmas. These parties depend on hundreds of volunteers and provide a happier holiday for more than 600 seniors. If you or your staff members would like to volunteer, a gift wrapping opportunity is also available December 12 from 3 to 7 pm.
Please contact Sherri Gorski at [email protected] or at 312-455-1000 to learn more. You can also make a gift online at www.littlebrotherschicago.org. Help warm the hearts of Chicago seniors! |
Member Announcements:
- Metropolitan Farms seeks a site for lease, 1000-4000 s.f. building on 7000-9000 s.f. lot, for startup urban farm using aquaponic technology. Must be zoned C, M, B3, or PMD. Email [email protected] if you know of a suitable property.
- Lamb, Little & Co. will hold the next in its series of webinars on Workers Compensation insurance on Wednesday, December 12th at 11:00am and 3:00pm. To attend, email [email protected].
|
Affordable Space
Check ICNC's website for low-cost incubator space with free business assistance and resources, located at the Fulton Carroll Center. The site displays info on available spaces including prices and descriptions.
|
|
|
|
|
For more info call 312-421-3941 or email [email protected]
320 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL. 60612
www.industrialcouncil.com
  |
|
|
|
|
|
