02/10/2021 - In This issue... 2021 Tax Tips - How-to-Apply Webinar for PPP - Speed Queen Construction Project - Financing Green Infrastructure -

Portal to Paseo Boricua - NWCC Member Highlight - Celebrate Mardi Gras...Tuesday, February 16th at the Chamber's Office.

One Yelp reviewer calls Elliott's Augusta Pizza & Grill a hidden gem. Other reviews range from eating there once a week and driving an hour for the pizza when the craving hits. Elliot's has been feeding appreciative customers in the Austin and Humboldt Park Community for nearly 40 years.

Before opening the Grill's doors on Augusta Boulevard, owner Elliott Mehmeti built his culinary repertoire at several Loop spots, including the famed Italian Village and some suburban locations in the northern suburbs around O'Hare Airport.

The Augusta Pizza & Grill menu has the usual sandwiches and burgers, but it's the lunch specials of chicken, beef, and meatloaf that gets high praise, along with the occasional fish fry. And you can get some of the best pizza in the neighborhood with chicken, sausage, and veggie topping choices.

Speed Queen, a commercial laundry equipment manufacturer located in Ripon, Wisconsin, is constructing a flagship store at 6808 W. Grand Avenue on Chicago's Northwest Side. The 12,250 square foot development will support the company's laundromat franchise model and is expected to open in spring 2021. Click to read more.

There will be a free Facebook Live info' session on applying for Round Two of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP). The presentation will be streamed live in English and Spanish. While Round Two's deadline is March 31st, it's possible funds will run out sooner, so it's important to apply ASAP.

Sign up for the Facebook Live presentation

Click here to download a flyer in English; click here for Spanish. 

While energy-efficient infrastructure is often expensive, a low-cost financing program launched by the City of Chicago in 2019 is about to expand. Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy - C-PACE - allows owners and developers to access long-term financing from private capital that pays for green systems, creating long-term savings on energy and water costs.

Counterpointe Energy Solutions in a joint venture with Loop Capital, Managing is administering the City's C-PACE program on behalf of the Chicago Department of Planning & Development - the program is expected to start up sometime in March 2021.

Eligible properties include mixed-use developments, office buildings, hotels, retail, industrial, multifamily and others. Owners can use C-PACE to add energy-efficient lighting, water conservation projects, renewable energy sources, electric charging stations, or replace aging lead pipes. Property owners can borrow up to 25% of their property's appraised value and loan repayment appear as a line item on the property tax bill, stretched out over the improvements' useful life.

Learn more in "Financing Green Property Improvements In Chicago Is About To Get Easier" - Brian Rogal; BISNOW, 2/3/2021

A Bit of Puerto Rico in Chicago...about the cover photo

The portal to Paseo Boricua is a

59-foot tall steel representation of the Puerto Rican flag. Within the artful flags is a microcosm of tPuerto Rican culture. This six-block portion of Division Street is the only formally recognized Puerto Rican neighborhood in the United States.

The public art project, installed in 1995 on Division Street between Western and California Avenues, encompasses a Walk of Fame bearing the names of notable, outstanding Puerto Ricans.

Many local businesses bear the names of Puerto Rican towns, and the Spanish Colonial facades on some buildings might make you think you're in old San Juan.

download a map of what to see, click here.

Click here for information about the National

Here are just a few ideas of how savvy small business owners are making the most of filing tax returns. Check out these offerings from HP, and ALWAYS consult your tax professional with questions. Click to read.

1st Quarter - 2021 - Click on name to go to website...

Belmont Central Chamber of Commerce -

4 Yolks Restaurant - Community Savings Bank - Insurance Adjustment Group - K & B Discount - Liberty Bank - Norford Hotel - R & S Car Wash - Roeser's Bakery - US Sportswear

Get your free copy of the Guide.....just call or email

The long-running and successful SBIF program helps retain and expand small businesses in nearly every Chicago neighborhood. Using local Tax Increment Financing (TIF) businesses and property owners are reimbursed for pre-approved repairs and upgrades. The program is administered by SomerCor, contracted by the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development.

Belmont /Central - North Branch South - Northwest Industrial Corridor -

Ogden/Pulaski - Stony Island/Burnside Industrial

Click to learn more about SBIF & Somercor

The Business Development Center at College of DuPage (COD) is accepting sealed bids and RFPs for goods and services. For listing of open bids and submission procedure, click here.

The NW Connection Chamber maintains an inventory of commercial and industrial real estate for sale and lease. Agents, brokers, and owners are invited to send listings for inclusion.

Click for Inventory; Click to forward a listing

Follow NWCC on Facebook for daily posts of breaking news,

webinars. Click HERE to Check out our website