5/9/2023: Redevelopment Plans for Mars Candy - May SBIF Rollout - State of Illinois Resources, Innovation Funding - Six Corners Update -
Celebrating Asian American Heritage Month
Local Chef Offers Unique Cuisine,
Garners Award, WTTW Profile

Chef Ethan Lim opened his restaurant, Hermosa, around the corner from his family's first restaurant in Chicago. Located in the Northwest Side neighborhood of the same name, the restaurant showcases Cambodian flavors. Lim's experiments with the cuisine of his childhood won him a Jean Banchet Rising Chef of the Year Award and an American Masters profile on WTTW.  

While Lim earned his fine dining chops working for the Alinea Group - a Michelin star recipient - the road to opening Hermosa wasn't smooth. Ethan was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after his parents fled Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge's siege in the late 70s. They emigrated to Chicago, where they found a strong community presence of other Cambodians. Lim's sister and brother run the Chinese-American Googoo's Table - long-time NWCC Members.
Ethan Lim: Cambodian Futures is available to stream and will air on WTTW in an abbreviated form
at the end of American Masters: Nam June Paik on Tuesday, May 16, at 8:00 pm.
Site Plans Revealed for
Mars Complex in Galewood
After several community meetings, preliminary plans for redeveloping the Mars complex at 2019 N. Oak Park Avenue are on the table. Mars donated the site for community use after deciding to move its corporate headquarters to New Jersey in 2024. Part of the company's restructuring includes building the company's largest innovation hub in the world on Goose Island, where the next generation of sweet treats will be inspired.
Irving Park/Six Corners Update...Construction is wrapping up at Clarendale Six Corners, the $117 M project at 4715 W. Irving Park Road; completion's projected for summer 2023. The 10-story structure has 258 senior living units with integrated amenities, including dining venues, a theater, and a fitness center. Six Corners is part of a four-acre master plan with an Aldi supermarket and an additional retail space. Click to get the details.
Funding Innovation

The Illinois State Treasurer's Office invests in
small startup companies with big ambitions. Launched in 2016, the Illinois Growth & Innovation Fund (ILGIF)is a rousing success. As a result of startup money and private-sector investors, companies funded by ILGIF reported revenue in excess of $38 billion, and hold over 800 patents while creating 5,000 new jobs. 
Other State Programs & Resources To Achieve Dreams & Security
Click on bolded names to learn about the program.
Several photos & logos in the issue are live 'mystery' links to learn something else...

WHO WAS AT NWCC'S BUSINESS RESOURCE FAIR IN APRIL?

While you're there...check out other events in the gallery
Renewing NWCC Members - 1st & 2nd quarters 2023
Almacenes Mexico - Anderson Funeral Services - Bionic Auto Parts - Community Savings - Cook Brothers - Cozy Corner Restaurant - Crescent Movers - De LaRosa & Associates - Dunkin Donuts - Elite Staffing - European American Association - Evans Gzesch Company - Exit Grace Realty - Helpico Insurance - Insurance Adjustment Group - Latino Tax Corporation - Liberty Bank for Savings - Logan Square Pest Control - McDonald's at 4338 W. North Avenue - Matthews Roofing - North-Pulaski Historical Society - NorthSide Latin Progress - Pahlke & Pahlke Insurance Agency - Parkside Foods & Liquor - R & S Carwash - Raila & Associates - Resilient Bookkeeping - Roeser's Bakery - Saranecki Catering - Second City Roofing & Exteriors - State Farm Insurance/Adam Greene Agency - Wintrust Bank
Click here to view NWCC complete Member Roster.
Click here to view by Category
  • May 12th & 13th - Mother's Day Carnation Promotion
Click for flyer to see which businesses will be giving
them out and on which days.
  • May 30th - Coffee, Conversation & Networking AM
Get your free copy of NWCC's Shopping & Business Resource Guide
Call 773/558-8743 or email nwconnectioncc@gmail.com
Hiring? Job Hunting?
Looking for a job? Follow NWCC's Facebook page.
Need employees? Send the job description to NWCC .
we'll post it on our Facebook page.
May 2023 SBIF Rollouts - Click on names for Map of district
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
Visit the NW Connection website for resources & assistance.
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 NorthAustin Communities.