Thursday, April 30, 2020

Facebook small-business grants


Facebook has pledged to give $100 million in small-business grants to help struggling businesses emerge from this pandemic. Applications are open now. to apply, or for more information, go here.

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Grant program webinar


BACP is holding a series of webinars to provide information and answer questions about the City of Chicago Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program. 
To learn more about the Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program and to apply, visit chicago.gov/recoverygrant

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Chicago Micro Business Recovery Grant Program


The City of Chicago has established the Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program. This program will distribute $5,000 grants to up to 1,000 businesses with four or fewer employees in low- and moderate-income areas of the city that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and could most benefit from a grant. To apply, or for more information, go here.

Monday, April 27, 2020

New guidelines for Chicago businesses during the COVID-19 crisis

The City of Chicago has recently released new guidelines for companies during the current crisis.These modifications provide increased flexibility for certain businesses and important new guidelines to protect workers and consumers. These changes and modifications will become effective May 1st and will last through the month of May. Please note that these rules are subject to change- please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus for updates and find today's guidelines here.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

SBA Disaster Loan Funding expected to reopen Monday morning


On Friday, April 24, President Trump signed into law a new bill providing a much needed additional $310 billion into the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), created under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
For those who have not yet applied for these programs, applications are expected to open up again at 9:30 am on Monday, 4/27. Find more information here.

Hungry?

Lots of tasty choices for delivery or carry out here on the southwest side. Find a downloadable list here.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

New grant program for the small business community


Thanks to a $1 million grant from Sam’s Club, LISC will provide the emergency assistance that small businesses desperately need to stay afloat. They will deploy grants to help bridge the financial gap, and deliver technical assistance to help navigate the intricate web of public and private resources now available. LISC will focus these efforts on historically underserved communities—especially those enterprises owned or led by women, minorities and veterans, which often lack access to affordable capital. For details, or to apply, go here.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Resources

The Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil rights has put together a great resource page for businesses and individuals affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Find out more here. 

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Friday deadline for loan applications

The deadline for applying for the City's Resiliency Fund program offering emergency small business loans to  is the close of business on Friday, April 24. To apply or for more information about the small business loan program, go here.

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Save Small Business Fund


The US Chamber of Commerce Foundation has spearheaded the ‘Save Small Business Fund’ for employers between 3-20 employees! They’ll be supplying $5,000 grants (free money!) to any business owner who has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and falls into a certain zip code. There’s a slick tool on the website where you can quickly see if a zip code is eligible. Check it out here.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Restaurant worker impacted by the Covid-19 crisis? Check this out.


Samuel Adams and The Greg Hill Foundation are bringing the successful Restaurant Strong Fund to 20 total states to aid the restaurant workers impacted by the Covid-19 closures. Find more details here.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Independent contractor, unemployed because of COVID-19?

If you are you an independent contractor, self-proprietor, or a worker not typically eligible for unemployment benefits, the new federal stimulus program might  be able to apply to offer some assistance. Find details here.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Foreclosure and COVID-19: Tips to help you keep your home


Has your ability to pay your mortgage been effected by the COVID-19 financial crisis?
If so, relief and resources may be available to help you avoid foreclosure and keep your home. Find more information here.

Resources for Small Business


The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has put together a comprehensive listing of resources available for Illinois businesses harmed by the current crisis
Find a downloadable pdf  here.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Great resources from the Young Center

Thank you to the Young Center staff for putting together these great resources for the community to help cope in these uncertain times. We hope they are helpful to you. 

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

We're Hiring!

                                                         Photo courtesy of Cytonn Photography
The Greater Southwest Development Corporation is hiring. Join our team and help improve the community on Chicago's southwest side. For more information, click on the open position below:

Woman owned business? Read this!


Do you own a business? Are you hurting due to stay-at-home orders and COVID-19? We're here to help.

We're directory of woman owned business to help folks find you and support you through the downturn. If we all help each other out during this time, we'll all make it out on the other side.

If you or your female friends own a business, submit through this form and you'll be included in the public directory. We're launching soon, so please complete ASAP!

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

FREE business education workshops are now available as WEBINARS!



The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection’s FREE business education workshops are now available as WEBINARS! 

Wednesday, April 8th at 3PM Webinar:

Cutting Through the Clutter: Understanding Your Options to Navigate Your Business During the Pandemic

Presented by ChiBizHub

Join us to discover all the resources to help your businesses manage through COVID-19 and beyond:
  • ChiBizHub – One stop shop portal for resources
  • Somercor – How can the Paycheck Protection Program Can Help My Business
  • 37 Oaks – How can I promote my local business now, for free
  • Q&A
ChiBizHuban initiative of World Business Chicago, provides Chicago entrepreneurs and small businesses with free, easy access to a large network of service providers offering a wide variety of business-building services for small businesses.This webinar is intended to help you easily understand what you can do NOW to stay afloat. 

Register by visiting www.chicago.gov/businessworkshops
Friday, April 10th at 9:30AM
Webinar:

The One Page Business Plan

Presented by Vincent Williams, MBA, Vice President of Economic Empowerment & Director- IL-SBDC @ YWCA Metropolitan Chicago|Woodlawn Resource Center 

This webinar will provide the basics behind cultivating and creating a working business plan that can be applied to all of your business ideas.

Register by visiting www.chicago.gov/businessworkshops
All webinars are freeTo register for a webinar visit www.chicago.gov/businessworkshops

Friday, April 3, 2020

COVID-19 support portal



Information is coming fast-and-furious so ChiBizHub has launched a COVID-19 support portal here, that is updated hourly with all of the city, county, state, federal and private programs available to our small business community.  

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Arts for Illinois Relief Fund


The Arts for Illinois Relief Fund provides financial relief to workers and organizations in the creative industries impacted by COVID-19. This includes all artists and artisans, including stage and production members and part-time cultural workers, and large to small arts organizations in all disciplines. Donations to the fund will go directly to artists and arts organizations throughout Illinois. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. For details, visit their website.

Hungry?



Lots of tasty choices for delivery or carry out here on the southwest side. Find a downloadable list here.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Applications for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund now open.


The City of Chicago recognizes that COVID-19 has put a difficult burden on our business and non-profit community. As a response to this challenge, the City of Chicago has established the $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund (the Resiliency Fund), which will provide small businesses and non-profits with 
emergency cash flow during this health crisis. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans.For more information, or to apply, go here.

What's for dinner?


Lots of tasty choices for delivery or carry out here on the southwest side. Find a downloadable list here.