Monday, September 27, 2021 |
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BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB) TORCH AWARDS FOR BUSINESS ETHICS |
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The Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics highlights business integrity, excellence, and community engagement. Entries for the 25th annual Awards – the most prestigious business award the Better Business Bureau presents – are now open through Wednesday, September 29, 2021.
Being a recipient of a Torch Award or Firestarter Award indicates that the business believes in the high standards of trust, ethics, and excellence.
Award categories include:
- Minority-Owned and Operated (ownership must be at least 51%)
- Women-Owned and Operated (ownership must be at least 51%)
- Firestarter Award – For younger companies who have been in business between one to three years as of December 9, 2021.
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SEPTEMBER ROLL OUT OF SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT FUND (SBIF) |
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The Department of Planning and Development (DPD)'s SBIF Program provides grant funding for permanent building improvements and repairs across the city. Tenants and owners of industrial and commercial properties may be eligible for grants are funded by Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues in designated TIF districts citywide. Program participants can receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City’s behalf, does not have to be repaid. For information about eligibility, click here.
SBIF applications are submitted during monthly rollout periods for individual TIF districts. Upcoming dates are listed below.
CLOSES: 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021
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VIRTUAL OUTREACH AND EVENTS |
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DPS participates in many outreach events around the Chicagoland area. Check out the upcoming events happening soon. For a full calendar of events, please visit www.chicago.gov/dpsevents
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Attention Small Business Owners! The Illinois Back 2 Business Grant Has Gone Live Apply now! |
As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s overall economic recovery strategy, the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program aims to deploy small businesses recovery grants for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. The B2B grant program builds on the success of last year's Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program – an equity focused business relief program, which directed $290 million to 9,000 businesses in 98 communities across Illinois. B2B is a key component of the Governor’s $1.5 billion economic recovery plan, aimed toward a swift and equitable deployment of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds that have been designated for Illinois to assist in recovery from the COVID pandemic.
To assist small businesses with the B2B application process and other upcoming or ongoing economic recovery grant programs offered at the State or federal level. DCEO has invested $9 million in support of Community Navigator organizations working in every region of the state. These organizations will provide technical assistance to businesses, with a focus on underserved businesses including minority, rural, veteran and women-owned businesses.
You can also set up an appointment with the Urban League’s Business Coaches who can help you apply.
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CTA Compliance Do’s Don’ts and Must!
September 28, 2021 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
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September 2021 has marked two years since construction began on Red Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project, the largest capital improvement project in CTA’s history. In anticipation of upcoming bidding opportunities, the Walsh-Fluor Design Team (WFDBT) is hosting a DBE & Workforce information session. Interested parties will meet WFDBT staff and WFDBT’s prime electrical subcontractors to learn about upcoming lower-tier subcontracting opportunities.
Attendees will also be able to network with union representatives and job assistance agencies and learn how to become eligible and equipped to work on construction projects throughout Chicago like RPM. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.
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Celebration of Latinx Business Excellence
September 28, 2021 | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
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Join the LGBTCC for our annual Celebration of Latinx Business Excellence. This event will recognize Latinx LGBTQ+ Businessowners and their business success. These leaders will share insight and reflections from their journey.
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2021 Illinois LGBTQ+ Business Summit
September 28, 2021 & 30 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM & 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
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Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce as they host the 2021 Illinois LGBTQ+ Business Summit. This virtual experience will provide LGBTQ+ and ally-owned businesses with the chance to access workshops, a keynote panel, matchmaking, and a pitch competition. |
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Back 2 Business Grant and Business Seminars
September 29, 2021 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Join the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois for instructive seminars for new and experienced entrepreneurs. Each session will also include information about eligibility and application for the Back 2 Business Grant being offered by the state of Illinois. |
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Beyond Basketball 2021
September 30 - October 7, 2021 | 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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Beyond Basketball is a four-week virtual “boot camp” hosted by the Chicago Sky focused on economic development to aid in the rebuilding of minority-owned businesses devastated by the economic impacts of this past year. |
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WealthNOW Conference
October 9, 2021 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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The WealthNOW Conference is a highly anticipated, virtual event presented by the Economic Empowerment Institute of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Invest in yourself by attending this life-changing conference. Learn innovative financial tools, invaluable wealth-building tips, and how to secure your home and neighborhood. |
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HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DPS WEBSITE
September 30, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The DPS website is the best place to find a wealth of resources relating to City procurement. Recently, the City of Chicago has refreshed the look of each department website and some things have changed. This workshop will take you through the new look and feel of the website as well as all the resources that are available and how to find them. Learn how to: locate upcoming opportunities, bid tabulations, information about awarded contracts, how to identify primes and Chicago certified subcontractors, City auctions, upcoming outreach events and how to stay informed of all the latest news and updates. |
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TRACKING CONTRACT PAYMENTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
October 6, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The Certification & Compliance (C2) Network System is a web-based tool that provides up-to-date tracking of payments made to prime contractors and sub-contractors. Prime contractors are responsible for reporting payments to all sub-contractors on a monthly basis. Come learn the roles and responsibilities of both the prime and subcontractors. |
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FIRST LOOK: THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT (DWM)
October 7, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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The Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) will preview potential upcoming construction contracts for the year. Additionally, focused on the ambitious 10-year Capital Improvement Plan, DWM has opportunities in water and sewer main replacement, facilities modernization for engineering and construction projects. These contracts, both term agreements, and standalone contracts will be available to bid by vendors and DWM staff will be available to provide highlights and specifics on these upcoming projects. |
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WEEKLY BID OPPORTUNITY LIST |
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Bid Opportunity List for the Week of September 27, 2021 |
The weekly Bid Opportunity List (BOL) is the resource to find currently advertised contracting opportunities with the City of Chicago. The information on the BOL is subject to change.
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Please be advised that all contracts awarded on March 10, 2021 and beyond will include Terms related to compliance with Executive Order 2021-2. These terms include quarterly reporting requirements for the projected and actual utilization of M/WBE firms. |
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RESOURCES FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY |
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Resource Navigators
The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support. For more information, click here.
Information on Chicago Reopening Guidelines
Mayor Lightfoot recently released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening. Industry-specific guidelines include details such as how businesses can engage in healthy interactions between workers and customers, how to maintain safe working spaces and conditions, and how to design and monitor workplace operations to create flexibility and maintain safety for employees and customers. Guidelines can be found at www.chicago.gov/reopening.
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DPS believes that everyone should have a chance to participate in the business of government. This includes participation by way of bidding on a contract, being a supplier, becoming a certified vendor, or even learning about how to do business with the City.
Our DPS website provides information to keep our vendor community informed of procurement news, outreach, initiative and programs. Visit www.chicago.gov/dps to learn about the following:
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DEPARTMENT OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES | www.chicago.gov/dps |
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