Nearwest News
In This Issue
Holiday Party
Added Police Presence
New Overtime Rule
#ILGive
Certified Food Handlers
Food Workshops
Internship L&L
EMT Recruitment Open
Training Funds
New Incubator Companies
Member News
Development Opportunities
ICNC Turning 50!
Alderman's Meeting
ICNC Space Available
Quick Links
Follow Us



November 2016
ICNC Holiday Party

Join ICNC for our end-of-the-year celebration at the Garfield Park Conservatory! Take some time to socialize and celebrate the holiday season with your fellow business owners and community members over food and drinks. ICNC's holiday party is one of our biggest events of the year and we look forward to seeing you there!

Photos courtesy of REP3 Photography
 

Thursday, December 15
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Garfield Park Conservatory - 
300 N. Central Park Ave.
RSVP Required - Register here!

 

 

Thank you to our sponsor!

     Added Police Patrols in Neighborhood     

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson recently committed to adding 1000 new police officers to the Chicago police force over the next two years. As a result, the 12th District police designated a police vehicle to patrol the neighborhood from Ashland to Western and from Lake to Hubbard between the hours of 6 AM - 10 PM, Monday through Friday. Additional officers have also been promised throughout the hiring timeline. For more information about improved security, contact Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com.

New Overtime Rule: What Does It Mean For Your Business?
In May, the U.S. Department of Labor passed a new overtime law, that goes into effect on December 1, 2016. The law will make 4.2 million exempt workers non-exempt. Are you and your business prepared for this change? Click here for more information.
       Giving Tuesday - #ILGive      
Save the date for Giving Tuesday, November 29th when you can make a direct impact in the growth of small businesses by supporting ICNC's charitable organization! 
Visit Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago's page on November 29, 2016 to #GiveICNC.
       Attention: Food and Beverage Companies      

Are you looking for certified food handling staff? ICNC recently certified 25 individuals who have completed the ServSafe Food Handling certification and 8 who have completed the ServSafe Food Handling Managers certification. If you would like more information about these participants, contact Nancy Kramer at nancy@industrialcouncil.com              

Upcoming Food Workshops
The Hatchery, a collaboration between ICNC and Accion Chicago to bring education, capital, and support to the Chicagoland food entrepreneur community, has upcoming food workshops.
Starting a Food Business - November 29
Technical assistance to food entrepreneurs made possible by our sponsors Bank of America and the United States Small Business Administration.
       Lunch & Learn: Internship Best Practices  
Do you want to hire an intern, but aren't sure how to do so? Join us on January 25th to learn the ins and outs of hiring, on-boarding, and managing interns to create a successful experience for all involved. The workshop will help you learn how beneficial interns can be to your organization and how to recruit them.
 
Wednesday, January 25th, 2017
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00PM
Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave.
Register here! Bring your own brown bag lunch.
ICNC EMT Training Program Recruitment
ICNC is pleased to announce that recruitment has opened for our 9th consecutive all-female Emergency Medical Technician training course! 
This 
seve n-month program begins in March 2016 and is op en to women who are a head-of-household, earning between $10K - $40K (or recently unemployed), and have a clean driving and criminal history. To apply, click here For more information, contact Priscilla Torrence at priscilla@industrialcouncil.com .
Employee Training Reimbursement Opportunity
Receive money back for investing in employee training! ICNC has received funds through TIFWorks 50/50, an employee training reimbursement program issued by the City of Chicago. Applications are currently being accepted. Applicants must be located within the Kinzie Industrial TIF District boundaries. All training must be pre-approved by the City. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com.
Welcome New ICNC Incubator Companies
Astor+Banks  -  Astor+Banks designs and assembles unique and precise watches, using mechanical and Swiss quartz movements, right here in Chicago. Their goal is to create fine timepieces to enjoy for a lifetime.

Branger_BrizBranger_Briz is a digital technology-focused marketing firm that leverages all new-media. They specialize in producing custom projects from concept, to design, to development, and launch.

Colleen Chrzanowski - Colleen is a photographer with multiple business lines, from portraits to fashion, editorial, and lifestyle photos. She specializes in high fashion photography and capturing photos of kids either in studio or in their home.

Real Good Juice Co. - Real Good Juice makes organic and locally-sourced cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, and more. Each bottle of juice, all with clever names, contains over three pounds of organic produce.    

Savor & Salt - Savor & Salt creates uniquely-spiced Bloody Mary mixes inspired by regional and world flavors. Flavors include Asian, Mexican, and Jerk, all of which come with specially flavored salts for your glass.

Spirit Tea Company - Spirit Tea dedicates itself to creating high quality handmade, uncommon teas. Each tea is sourced directly from the tea grower without any added flavorings or sweeteners.

Stock Manufacturing Co. -  Stock Manufacturing creates menswear staples including shirts, accessories, and outerwear focused on fit, fabric, and quality. They also create custom chef uniforms and linens for high-end restaurants.
 
studiothread - studiothread is a firm that works with nonprofits and good causes to creatively address fundraising objectives, strategic systems design, upgrading legacy websites, and modernizing communications.
Member Announcements and News
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly - Every year, they collect, wrap and deliver 1,000 gifts to isolated, lonely elders across Chicago. Every elder receives a customized gift that reminds them they are cared for. Will you add an elder's wish to your own holiday shopping list? It is easy: email holidaygift@littlebrotherschicago.org.

Baggia Auto - ICNC member Baggia Auto is offering a fall special of $45 for full synthetic oil and filter service and $110/axle Bosch ceramic brake pads. For more information, call Baggia Auto at (312) 421-1775.

ICNC Newsletter and Website -  ICNC members who have an announcement such as a new product launch or a special promotion can have it included in our monthly newsletter. Members with media attention can have the article link included on ICNC's ' In The News ' section of the website. Send all relevant information and links to Michelle Collett at michelle@industrialcouncil.com  by the last day of the month.
Development Opportunities
RMUIL ICenter Program:  One of the core values of Robert Morris University Illinois is experiential learning. The ICenter program pairs student/faculty teams with businesses to work on real projects. Successful past projects have included accounting, marketing and social media plans, graphic design and videos, food business product development, and much more. For more information, click here or contact Deanna Ho at dho@robertmorris.edu.

Business Workshops:  The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by city officials, experts, and partner business organizations. All workshops are free and open to the public. To view the business workshop calendar, click  here .
We Are Turning 50!
ICNC will be celebrating 50 years of helping small businesses grow next year!  We are kicking off the planning of the 50th year anniversary celebrations and would love to have your ideas and energy. If you are interested in sharing some of your time and ideas with us to help us plan for next year, contact Jennifer Holmes at jennifer@industrialcouncil.com.
Monthly Alderman's Meeting
Every month ICNC hosts a breakfast with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. These meetings are an opportunity for area companies to discuss issues they have with crime, infrastructure, zoning, and other topics. For more information on ICNC's monthly Alderman's meeting, please contact Hannah Jones at hannah@industrialcouncil.com.
ICNC Incubator Space Available    
Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial environment and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services. Click here to view more available spaces.  
    
For more information, call 312-421-3941 or email   info@industrialcouncil.com .