3/23/2023: Food Equity & Small Business Grant Programs - Job Hunting? - Tour Bauer/Plummer Police & Fire Training Academy - Redeveloping: The Avenue -
Grant Program Addresses Food Equity

The Community Growers grant program, funded by the City of Chicago under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, provides financial and technical assistance to support existing urban agricultural sites and build urban gardens and farms on vacant lots citywide. Through this program, BACP and partner agency NeighborSpace are supporting urban growers with access to land, resources, and technical support.
Mail questions to info@neighbor-space.org
Police & Fire Training Academy Opens

Earlier this year, the Bauer Plummer Chicago Police & Fire Training Academy opened at 4400 W. Chicago Avenue. The state-of-the-art facility is named in honor of Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer, killed in 2018, and Firefighter MaShawn Plummer, who died while battling a fire. 

The facility's amenities include a six-story tower to train firefighters on fighting different kinds of fires and a fake city block with multiple two- and three-flat residential brick buildings complete with fences, curbs, alleys, sidewalks, yards, back stairways, porches, basements, and garages. A Boys & Girls Club is also on the Chicago Avenue site, and there will be two Black-owned eateries - Culver's and Peaches. The Club and restaurants will open this summer.

Chicago Police Department Supt. David Brown said the department would use the facility to teach personnel to "do things the right way" and put "COPA out of business," referring to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the agency charged with investigating misconduct by Chicago police officers.
Update on "The Avenue" - 3601 W. Chicago Avenue
The Chicago Committee on Design reviewed updated plans for an Invest South/West proposal, The Avenue, at 3601 W Chicago Avenue. Located on the SW corner of Central Park Avenue, it's part of a multi-phase proposal to revitalize several other vacant properties in the neighborhood.
Read more about "The Avenue"
The alpha points are other parts of
the overall project.
Several photos & logos in the issue are live links to learn something more...
State of Illinois
Charitable Trust Grant Application Open 

The Spring 2023 Charitable Trust program awards grants in two categories: Food and Workforce/Economic Development assistance. For this grant cycle, $200,000 is available; each eligible organization can receive up to $20,000, and previous grant recipients are eligible if the term of their grant has been complete for at least one calendar year. The deadline to apply is March 31st, 2023.
Click here to learn more or to apply
Inquiries can be made to (217) 836-4590.
Between issues Click here to Like NWCC of Facebook for latebreaking events/news
Click to learn more about Humbold Park - subject of the cover photo
Support NWCC Members...
Shop and use local service providers
Renewing Members - 1st quarter 2023
Anderson Funeral Services - Community Savings - Cozy Corner Restaurant - Crescent Movers - Dunkin Donuts - European American Association - Exit Grace Realty - Helpico Insurance - Insurance Adjustment Group - Liberty Bank for Savings - Matthews Roofing - North-Pulaski Historical Society - NorthSide Latin Progress - Pahlke & Pahlke Insurance Agency - Parkside Foods & Liquor - R & S Carwash - Roeser's Bakery - State Farm Insurance/Adam Greene Agency -

Click here to view NWCC complete Member Roster.
Click here to view by Category
Tuesday, March 28th - 9:30 AM:
Coffee, Conversation & Networking
Chamber Meetings are open to everyone. Have a cup of coffee
and meet Liberty Bank/Logan Square Manager Evette Berryhill.
Click to view/download flyer

Saturday, April 1st - 11AM to 12:30 PM : The Easter Bunny will be Hoppin' along North Avenue with Candy for the Kids - Click to View/Download flyer

Saturday, April 29th - Small Business Resource Fair
North-Pulaski Public Library, 4300 W, North Avenue. Click to view/download flyer
Job Hunting? A first stop might be your local Alderman's office to sign up for its eNews. Not sure "Who" your Alderman is....or need online contact info? Find it on the NW Connection Chamber's website.
Watch the Shark Tank and the marketing strategy that gets a thumbs up from the Sharks is social media and online marketing. Here's a definitive article that lays out the statistics and clues you in on which will work best for your business.

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) promotes economic development by providing small businesses with reimbursable grants for permanent building improvement costs.

Click here to learn more about the program and view the 2023 SBIF
Visit the NW Connection Chamber website for resources and assistance.
Contact: Pete Schmugge, NWCC Executive Director - 773-558-8743 -
The NW Connection Chamber of Commerce - a Place Making Generalist agency for the
City of Chicago Business Affairs Neighborhood Business Development Center - is funded to
provide assistance to the Cragin, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, and North Austin Communities.