Business Resources

Business Resources

The Edgewater Development Corporation is a participating Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) with the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The Edgewater Business Development Center helps business owners and entrepreneurs apply for business license(s) and public way use permit(s), helping navigate City government, developing a business plan, marketing assistance, product/service/workforce development, access to training and resources, assistance with COVID-related business supports as well as reopening guidelines, at a hyper-local level.

   

Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) Program

  • City of Chicago Small Business Development Center – The Department of Business Affairs and Licensing is a gateway for new and existing businesses in Chicago and provides a primary point of contact for the many City services that aid Chicago’s business community. www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/sbc/small_business_centerhome.html
  • City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development – This multifaceted department oversees all development and long-range planning from Lake Calumet to Rogers Park, from the lakefront to O’Hare and every neighborhood in between. www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd.html
  • City of Chicago 311 Services – www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/311.html
  • Chicago land Chamber of Commerce – The Chicago land Chamber of Commerce is a membership-driven organization comprised of established companies whose members pay annual membership dues to belong. Members may participate in a variety of business-building, growth, advocacy and educational programs and take advantage of a wide variety of services. www.chicagolandchamber.org
  • Illinois Business Portal: The Illinois Business Portal can help you at any stage in your business life cycle. Whether you are starting a new business, running a business, or changing an existing business, this site can help you get the answers you need. http://business.illinois.gov/default.cfm
  • U.S. Small Business Association to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. The SBA offers a variety of financial and technical resources to help Small Businesses succeed.  http://www.sba.gov/

Financial Resources

  • Allies for Community Business provides the capital, coaching, and connections entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses that create jobs and wealth in their communities. A4CB offer loans between $500 and $100,000 to early, emerging, and established businesses in Illinois and Indiana www.a4cb.org
  • SomerCor 504 has a range of services to help grow your business. www.somercor.com

Community Organizations

Aldermanic Offices

State Elected Officials

  • State Representative Greg Harris website
  • State Representative Kelly Cassidy website
  • State Senator Heather Steans website

Federal Elected Officials