Near West Side News 

  312-421-3941      July 2013

www.industrialcouncil.com 

 Wednesday, August 14th, 11:30AM-1:30PM 

Wondering what happened to the Lead Breakfast? Well, it's changed. We have a new time, new name and new focus. Please join us for ICNC's first "Launch Lunch"!
This fun, free event will focus on new companies, new products and new people. So, if you have a new product ready to launch, or just want to meet those who do, please join us. Seats are expected to fill up fast, so please register here.

ICNC's Fulton-Carroll Center and its immediate area have unfortunately seen a handful of recent vehicle and unit burglaries. As a reminder to all tenants and neighbors:

• All tenant units in the Fulton-Carroll Center should remain locked when not immediately occupied. Further, it is essential that all exterior doors to the complex remain closed and locked at all times, including roll-up doors. This is for the safety of all FCC tenants-- doors propped or left open and unattended will be met with a fine.
• Please report all crimes immediately to the Chicago Police, even if they seem trivial. This is the only way the Police will have accurate statistics on area crime and adjust their patrols accordingly.
• Please share information with your neighbors. Sharing information on recent crimes, suspicious persons, and security threats can help all of us stay safe. Email crime updates to Ben@industrialcouncil.com or call 312-421-3941.

CC image by Daniela Hartmann

For many e-commerce-focused small businesses who could be active exporters, the idea of opening up e-commerce operations to international orders can seem impossible. However, today there is a range of international checkout options that merchants can add to their websites at no cost. Small businesses can start accepting international e-commerce orders in US dollars from 90+ countries in less than a day through common international checkout platforms. A few of the leading options include: International Checkout, Bongo Checkout, iGlobal Stores, Global Shopex, Interpay and Borderfree. For more information and to find out whether you're ready to begin selling internationally, contact ITC Director Laura Flamm at laura@industrialcouncil.com.

Read More About E-Commerce Platforms 

Check out the new Events Calendar on ICNC's website! Browse our upcoming events and add them to your Outlook or Google Calendar with a single click, or Subscribe to make sure you're always up-to-date.   

The City Department of Housing and Economic Development is  reviewing the performance of some of Chicago's Planned Manufacturing Districts for job creation and land use. While the Kinzie Industrial Corridor PMD is performing well and will not be subject to changes, underperforming PMDs elsewhere in the city may see rule changes, boundary amendments, or could be cut entirely. This raises concerns as to the integrity of the PMD system as a network of protective zoning for manufacturing. ICNC will report any decisions promptly to our membership.

Attention ICNC Tenants: There's a new Chef in town!
Chef Mickey of All Natural Chicago, located in Suite F323 will be selling breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked pastries to ICNC tenants from 9-11am.  Menu changes daily; text "BREAKFAST" to 88202 to see what's cooking today.

Coming soon:  The All Natural breakfast cart with all your fresh, "slow food" choices.

Now Available: 2023 W. Carroll Ave., Suite C-209C: 1399 s.f., $977/month  

Ideally situated within our Fulton-Carroll Center business incubator, this space provides easy access to ICNC's no-cost business development services and eligibility for TIF, Enterprise Zone, and Empowerment Zone benefits. High ceilings, proximity to docks and freight elevator. Lease includes 24/7 access to building. For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Zoey at 312-421-3941 or Zoey@industrialcouncil.com.

If you have not yet engaged with ICNC staff regarding the CTA's proposed Bus Rapid Transit project on Ashland Avenue, we want to hear from you. The project seeks to replace one lane of traffic in each direction with a bus-only lane, and to remove left turns off of Ashland from all or most intersections. ICNC is actively lobbying for design changes from CTA, but we need data from our Members. Please call Ben at (312) 421-3941 to discuss Bus Rapid Transit.

After recent stints in Afghanistan and Iraq, Chicago veteran Manny Ramirez came home and started "Sparkle Clean", Chicago's Commercial Cleaning specialists. We here at ICNC can highly recommend Sparkle Clean Chicago because we're clients. So, If you're looking for experience, honesty and hard work in your cleaning company, then Manny is the guy for the job. Contact him at (773) 870-2609. 

CC image by 401(K) 2012

Learn what every employer needs to know about the Affordable Care Act at this informative session. Featuring subject expert Dennis Foldenauer of the Small Business Administration.

Thursday, August 15th, 9:00am-11:00m 

ICNC

320 N. Damen Ave.

Free to Attend  

Register Here! 

Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. 

Join us on Friday, August 23rd for food, networking, and a cruise aboard the Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier!  View Chicago's world-famous skyline, from the Sears Tower, to the John Hancock, to the Museum Campus, Aon Center and more.

Our summer membership event is a great opportunity to network with fellow members of our business community.   Registration includes a two-hour cruise, open bar, and hot buffet.

$40 for FCC tenants                          

Financing Your Small Business with SBA-Backed Loans

Come learn about the SBA-backed loans that Celtic Bank offers to help you grow your business: Whether you are a looking for a Patriot, Export, Small Loan Advantage II, Express, or other type of SBA loan, Celtic can help.

Tuesday July 16, 2013, 3:00pm-5:00pm      

Harold Washington Library  

400 S State Street 

Multipurpose Rooms A and B 

At any given time, ICNC has access to several grant and

(Creative Commons)

subsidy opportunities for its small business Members. These programs have the potential to grow your workforce, your export opportunities, or your capital investments, and provide public benefit by creating jobs and reducing blight. All are subject to their own eligibility requirements.

Current Opportunities Available:

State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP): Reimburses 50-75% of travel and exhibition costs at foreign trade shows.

On-the-Job Training (OJT): Reimburses up to 50% of a new hire's wages for their first 6 months.

Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP): Reimburses up to 50% of qualified employee training sessions in new equipment, industry-related software, ISO and LEED, and more.

Empowerment Zone Benefits: Federal tax credits of up to $3,000 per employee for employing people from the neighborhood (business must also be located in the Empowerment Zone).

Work Opportunity Tax Credits: Federal tax credits between $1,200 and $9,600 per employee for hiring from targeted groups like veterans, ex-felons, and SNAP recipients.

For information on how to take advantage of these opportunities, call us at (312) 421-3941.

• The Habitat Company is giving away free office furniture and filing cabinets. Pickup will be the week of July 15^th. To see what's available, contact Vicky Simpson at (312) 527-7438.

For more info call 312-421-3941 or email info@industrialcouncil.com

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

www.industrialcouncil.com