Nearwest News
In This Issue
#ILGive
Boat Cruise
Incubator Spotlight
Member News
Minimum Wage
Food Workshops
New Incubator Co's.
Development Opps.
Training Funds
ICNC Space Available
Alderman's Meeting
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May 2017
Help Us Celebrate Makers!
Together, we are supporting Chicago's makers!  Any donation, no matter the size, will help more entrepreneurs find success. Visit our 
#ILGive page for more details. 

Annual Boat Cruise
ICNC will be hosting its Annual Boat Cruise aboard the Anita Dee II with a special performance by the Jamiah Rogers Band in celebration of our 50th anniversary! Connect with other ICNC companies as the boat cruises around Lake Michigan while enjoying beverages and light refreshments. 
All ticket sales will go to support ICNC's no-cost business development services. 
Wednesday, July 19th
Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: The Anita Dee II at DuSable Harbor -  150 N. Lake Shore Dr.


Successful Incubator Expansion -
Synergy Construction Group
Synergy Construction Group is a general contracting and construction management firm. Philip Domenico, along with three partners, started Synergy in 2008, which has grown to include about 50 employees and $40 million in revenue.

Their most recent projects include their 7th Panera Bread store, Small Cheval, Assemble Shared Office, a 12-unit condominium project in West Loop, and a $35 million renovation of the old Ravenswood Hospital. Learn more about Synergy here
Member Announcements
Passion House Coffee Roasters Opens Cafe in Logan Square - Passion House held a grand opening for their cafe in Logan Square on May 1st. This is their first coffee shop since they began roasting in 2011. Stop by to visit and pick up a cup of coffee! Read more in Chicago Magazine and Eater Chicago.

ICNC Press - Quite a few ICNC incubator companies have been in the news recently including Farmer's Fridge, Meliora Cleaning Products, Thank God I'm Natural, and Federal Moto.
 
ICNC Newsletter and Website -  ICNC members who have an announcement 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 website. Send all relevant information and links to Michelle Collett at michelle@industrialcouncil.com  by the last day of the month.
       Minimum Wage Changes
The City of Chicago's minimum wage will increase to $11 an hour starting July 1st. The raise is part of the city's planned phase-in process from 2015 to 2019. See more details here
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.  
Tech And... Food - May 18
Technical assistance to food entrepreneurs made possible by our sponsors Bank of America and the United States Small Business Administration.
Welcome A New ICNC Incubator Company!
Elevation Ice  - Elevation Ice creates artisanal craft ice that will be available in spheres and two different sizes of cubes. The ice is unique in its purity, clarity, shape, and slow melt rate, which creates no taste intereference. 
Development Opportunities
Metro Chicago Exports 2017 Grant Program: The program will award up to $5,000 to small and medium-sized companies in the seven-county region to implement an export plan. The grant will reimburse 50% of eligible expenses related to the plan.  Businesses that are existing exporters with fewer than 500 employees are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, click here . The deadline is May 26, 2017.

Inner City Capital Connections: ICCC is a national program that helps small businesses in economically-distressed areas grow. The 40-hour curriculum combines executive education, coaching/mentorship, and access to potential capital sources. Most companies headquartered in the ICNC incubator and surrounding areas will qualify from a location standpoint. Other candidate guidelines include annual revenues of $500,000+ and being in business over 2 years. For more information, contact Emily Lo at emily@industrialcouncil.com. The deadline is June 2nd.  
 
Small Business Administration (SBA) Webinars: The U.S. Small Business Administration hosts webinars nearly every day on a wide variety of topics related to small business. See the calendar here.

IRS Webinars: The IRS periodically holds local and national webinars with helpful advice regarding tax season and owning a small business. Take a look at the schedule here.

Business Workshops:  The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers workshops free every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by city officials, experts, and partner business organizations. View the business workshop calendar  here .
Receive Money Back For Hiring
Receive money back for hiring full-time Chicago residents! 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.
Available Incubator Space
Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services.
  
Click here to view the available spaces.    
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.
For more information, call 312-421-3941 or email   info@industrialcouncil.com .