Serving the Cragin, Hermosa, Humboldt Park & N. Austin Communities

July 31st, 2020 - Lowe's Commits $55M to LISC for Small Businesses Grants - COD Open Bid for Janitorial Supplies - Mayor Announces 2nd Round of Housing Assistance - County Gives $5M to Anti-Violence Group

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Submission Deadline August 3rd, 2020 Lowe's $55M Commitment to LISC Enables Small Businesses Grants Small businesses are the economic backbone of our communities. The financial pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic is pushing many to the brink of closing their doors and lay off workers. Thanks to a $55M commitment grant from Lowe’s, LISC can provide emergency grant assistance these small businesses desperately need to stay afloat. The individual $20,000 grants will allow them to meet immediate needs: Eligible expenses include: Paying rent and utilities Meeting payroll Paying outstanding debt to vendors Upgrading technology infrastructure Other immediate operational costs The overall grant is split as follows: $30 million earmarked to focus on small businesses owned or led by minorities and women, who often lack access to affordable capital. $25 million to support enterprises in rural communities, which typically face even more hurdles than their urban counterparts due to limited access to bank credit, capital, and other support services. Before applying, click HERE to review grant info' FAQS Click HERE f or information; HERE for Application Portal

College of DuPage Open Bid for Janitorial Supplies The College of DuPage is accepting sealed bids for Janitorial Supplies. Bid documents may be downloaded from the COD Procurement Website at www.cod.edu/about/purchasing/requests B ids are due to the College of DuPage Procurement Services in the IRC Building, Room 1001, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 up to and no later than 11AM Monday, August 17, 2020, at which time they will publicly opened. T he College of DuPage is committed to the economic development of disadvantaged business enterprises; qualified Minority, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Owned Businesses are highly encouraged to participate

Submission Deadline Monday, August 10th Mayor Lightfoot Announces Round Two of $33M Housing Assistance Grant The City of Chicago announced the second round of a $33M housing assistance grant for renters and property owners - especially those facing eviction - people living in hotels or motels or doubled-up with relatives and friends. Residents can apply for online through the Chicago Housing Assistance Portal or in person at one of  six community centers; The deadline to apply is 11:50 PM, Monday, August 10th. The first step is to fill out a simple, one page survey form on the Chicago Housing Assistance Portal - https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/affordable-housing-programs/home/intake-form.html Once the survey is completed, applicants will be routed to one of four programs that best fit their need: DFSS Rental Assistance Program (RAP) DOH COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant Program DOH Mortgage Assistance Program; or the Illinois Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Assistance.

Anti-Violence Group Gets $5M from Cook County Board of Commissioners At an anti-violence rally in the Austin Community in late July, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced a $5M grant to Communities Partnering for Peace (CPP) from the County.  A coalition of organizations, CPP is dealing with gun violence in roughly two dozen of Chicago's most affected community areas, including Austin, West Garfield Park, and North Lawndale. Vaughn Bryant, Executive Director of Communities Partnering for Peace, said the funding allows the organization to expand its services to more communities, and deploy more resources to areas where it already has a presence. Learn more about Communities Partnering for Peace

Click to Read: George Floyd's Brother Visits Austin to Help Launch $5M Initiative Austin Peoples Action Center held anti-violence rally July 24, where Preckwinkle announced county's $5M violence prevention effort. Michael Romain - Austin Weekly News, 7/26/2020

In this and upcoming issues we'll introduce you to NWCC members - We encourage you to keep them in mind when you're shopping, ordering out, or need their services.

MEMBER SHOUT OUT NWCC'S validity comes from the loyalty and support of its Membership. We encourage you to patronize the businesses in your community; It keeps neighborhoods strong. I n this issue we're introducing you to our member of longest standing.... click on their names to go to their websites Roeser's Bakery and two brand news ones... Chicago Auto Radiator Service Let's Change Resale

Get Your Free Copy of NWCC's Business & Shopping Resource Guide Click HERE to view or download a copy; for a softcover print copy, call Pete Schmugge 773/558-8743 or email nwconnectioncc@gmail.com

Thank You to These Members for Renewing the Partnership... New members in red Almances Mexico - Andersen Funeral Home Services - Belmont-Central Chamber - Bionic Auto Parts - Carnicerias Jimenez - Chicago Auto Radiator Service - Community Savings Bank - Cozy Corner Restaurant - Diamond Garden Hall Banquets - Dunkin' Donuts - ESP Tax Service - Elliott’s Augusta Pizza - European American Association - Helpico Insurance - Insurance Adjustment Group - Let’s Change Resale - Liberty Bank - Matthews Roofing - McDonald’s/4338 West North - McDonald’s/3241 West North - Midwest Fence - Norford Hotel - North-Pulaski Fresh Market - Nowak Farmer's Market - Oak Street Health/Hermosa - Parkside Liquors - Portage Park Chamber - R & S Car Wash - Roeser’s Bakery - Saranecki Banquets - Second City Roofing - Sleep On Latex - State Farm/Mark Hanson Agency - State Farm/Joe Wilson Agency - U-Haul - 4 Yolks Restaurant

NWCC's Commercial Real Estate Inventory The NW Connection Chamber maintains an inventory of commercial and industrial properties for sale and lease. Agents, brokers, and owners are invited to send their listings for inclusion. Click for Inventory; Click to forward a listing

In between issues of The Connection Follow NWCC on Facebook for daily posts of breaking news, up-to-date info' about programs, resources, events and webinars. Click HERE to Check out our website

The NW Connection Chamber of Commerce, a delegate agency of the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs, is funded to provide assistance to the Cragin, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and North Austin Communities.