MARCH 2025

GNCDC is bringing you the latest community and business updates!

Community Development Grants

Apply for a Community Development Grant

The City of Chicago helps support business and neighborhood vitality through Large Community Development Grant (CDG) awards. CDGs use proceeds from the 2024 Housing and Development Bond and other funding sources to support a variety of eligible, business-related investments that create and maintain jobs and quality-of-life improvements for local residents.

Applications are open to business owners, property owners, non-profit organizations, community developers and entrepreneurs.

Large: $5 million and up

For office, retail, cultural, industrial, institutional and mixed-use projects.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis

Learn more and apply

The 2024 Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (“OE3”) Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program.

This funding opportunity is designed to support businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI) or very small businesses (VSBs) by providing financial assistance for capital improvement projects that will drive business growth, enhance operational efficiency, promote sustainability, and support job creation and retention.

.Application Deadline: April 7, 2025

See NOFO here

NOFO Webinar

SBIF Rollout Calendar

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) opens for grants each month in various TIF districts across Chicago.

Eligible businesses must submit their application during the month-long application window for their TIF district to qualify for funding.

March 2025

OPENS: 9 a.m. Saturday, March. 1

CLOSES: 5 p.m. Sunday, March 30

Division/Homan

Informational Webinar

1 p.m. Wednesday, March 5

August 2025

OPENS: 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1

CLOSES: 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30

Northwest Industrial Corridor

Informational Webinar

1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6

October 2025

OPENS: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1

CLOSES: 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30

Galewood/Armitage

Informational Webinar

1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1

SBIF 2025 Rollout Calendar Click Here

The application must be submitted to DPD’s program administrator, SomerCor. For additional program information or application assistance, visit the SomerCor website at www.somercor.com/sbif.

1140 N Kostner Ave

36,500 SF Warehouse/Manufacturing Building for Sale in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood. 3000 SF Office. Three loading docks.

$1,450,000 ($40/SF)

Click Here

Commercial and Industrial Program

The Commercial and Industrial Program provides energy efficiency rebates, resources, expert support and project management for customers. No matter your type of operation, the program team can help your business reduce its energy use. Our team can identify energy-saving opportunities customized for your business.

There are many ways for you to save, including:

Free energy-saving products for qualifying customers
Custom and prescriptive project rebates
Energy studies
Expert support

Click Here for More Information

Industrial Strategic Energy Management

By focusing on people and processes rather than just equipment upgrades,,ComEd's Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program motivates employees to consider behavioral and operational changes that lead to long-lasting energy savings without significant capital investments! The program includes a year-long series of workshops and coaching sessions focused on identifying and implementing operational and behavioral changes. Energy models are created for selected sites to monitor energy performance over the program year.

Energy Savings Through Engagement

SEM helps clients achieve energy savings by engaging the entire facility. The process is designed to:

Establish organizational commitment
Plan and implement energy efficiency best practices and projects, from no-cost opportunities to larger capital investments
Measure, monitor, and report on savings

In addition to the direct cost savings from reduced energy use, ComEd also offers various incentives for participating companies.

ComEd Energy Efficiency Program Incentives Click Here

City Inspections - Ask Questions, Get Answers

City Inspections

March 5th 2025

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by the City of Chicago

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, Department of Public Health, and the Department of Buildings will provide insight on how operate a compliant business in the City of Chicago. Topics covered will include how to prepare for inspections, building permits and sign display requirements, food inspection overview and necessary certificates, and zoning review procedures. Learn how to operate safely and avoid common setbacks.

Scam Proof: Outsmart Fraudsters and Stay Safe!

March 6th 2025

10:00 am to 11:30 am

Presented by The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP)

Americans lose $10 billion to scams each year. In this webinar hosted during National Consumer Protection Week, learn about the latest scams and how to avoid becoming part of the statistic.

Disability & Access Training for Businesses

March 7th 2025

9:30 am to 11:00 am

Presented by the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities

Join the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities for a foundational training on the basics of disability, appropriate terminology, and communication skills for businesses interacting with people with different disabilities. This training provides considerations for physical, digital, and communication accessibility.

Labor protections for Youth Employment

March 11th 2025

10:00 am to 11:00 am

Presented by: Adam Weller, Assistant Commissioner, Office of Labor Standards

Chicago’s Labor Ordinances afford specific protections to Youth Workers, including a higher rate of pay than mandated by the Illinois Minimum Wage Law and access to paid time off. Employers and Youth Workers are encouraged to join this webinar to learn about and review the current protections that exist across youth-employment programs. In addition, there will be a Q&A session at the end.

What You Need to Know About Your Business & Federal Taxes

March 12th 2025

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Presented by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Ladder Up

This workshop will answer important tax questions for your business including: Are you required to file a tax return? Is your worker an independent contractor or an employee? What business records must be kept? Are you required to make estimated tax payments? What resources does the IRS have for small business owners?

Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.

Visit BACP’s YouTube for all webinars.

Click on the link to find out what ward your business is in.

What ward am I in??

Renew Your Dues/Join/Sponsor/Donate

Your donations are tax deductible!

Without your support GNCDC would not have grown to be the great organization that it is today. It is through hard work and support from all the GNCDC members that we continue to make a difference and help grow our community. Membership dues help GNCDC provide the grants, events and programs that help members grow their businesses. Please pay your membership dues in a timely fashion. You can submit a payment online at your earliest convenience.

GNCDC would kindly like to remind all of our members - that without your support we would not exist. Renew, Join Sponsor, Donate today!

Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation...is a delegate agency of the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development serving the Galewood/Armitage, Pulaski and Northwest Industrial Corridors. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the agency provides assistance and information about incentives and programs for building improvement and development, business retention and sustainability and workforce resources and training.

Newsletter, March 2025

Visit us at GNCDC.org

Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation

4506 W. Fullerton Ave

Chicago, IL 60639

(773) 637-2416

Share This Email