West Humboldt Park Family & Community Development Council latest news

Technology Assistance for Humboldt Park Businesses Available

08/27/2010 12:41 PM

Does your business need a “technology check-up”?

Are you confused about hardware and software options?

Do you want a website but not sure where to start?

The Smart Communities Program strives to provide greater access to technology tools, training and resources for business owners and residents in Humboldt Park. As part of this program, the West Humboldt Park Development Council will become a Business Resource Network providing all kinds of technology assistance to area businesses. The program will begin in the fall of 2010.

Technology Assessments of businesses will take a snapshot look at a business’s existing technology (hardware & software applications) and propose a Technology Action Plan which will help the business achieve its goals. The Technology Action Plan will provide recommendations on:
1.   Broadband adoption;
2.   Improved hardware and/or software applications;
3.   One-on-one technical assistance with technology adoption;
4.   Trainings & workshops;
5.   Referral to other providers, small business development centers, and technology resources
6.   Referral to grant or loan funds to pay for technology expansion

How we can help you: Assistance is available in all kinds of areas from basic computer literacy to social networking (FaceBook, Twitter, Linked-in, etc), QuickBooks, on-line banking and more. Workshops and trainings will be offered on a monthly basis. One-on one mentoring and technical assistance will also be available.

Our Business Resource Network will have several desktop and laptop computers and a conference area. We can meet with business owners in our office at 3620 W Chicago Avenue or come to your business. We will offer consultations, trainings, webinars and referrals to outside resources at discounted rates. For more information on this opportunity please contact Tom Otto at (773) 342-0036 extension 23.

Financial Empowerment Training for Business Owners

08/25/2010 01:48 PM

Chicago Community Ventures (CCV) is starting a new financial empowerment training program. This is for existing businesses who are still struggling with understanding their finances and other aspects. For more information see our Financial Empowerment Training Program brochure.

Get listed on the Humboldt Park Portal website

08/06/2010 01:18 PM

The Humboldt Park Portal is a new business, civic, arts and community website where residents and others can learn about the neighborhood, plug into local resources and share the Humboldt Park experience. Created by a coalition of local nonprofits, community organizations and nonprofits, the Portal is one of many digital tools we are building to create a stronger community.

Early this Fall the Humboldt Park Portal will be online. Once it is open, residents and local institutions can post news, events, directory listings, videos—information about our neighborhood that is useful and interesting. And it’s all free.

Help Us Prepare: Join the Directory

This August, we are gathering information for the Humboldt Park Portal, so readers can learn about the neighborhood as soon as the Portal goes online. Please send in information to have a page in our Directory of local businesses and nonprofits. It’s a great way to tell the community and the world about your work.

Required information:

Name
Address
Telephone Number
Are you a Business or a Nonprofit
Description (can be as short as a sentence or as long as many paragraphs)

Optional information:

You can also include:

Your logo
More contact options: Email address, fax #, link to your own website, etc
Detailed information (examples might be a menu, a list of accomplishments, a membership form, or the hours when you’re open)
Photo(s) and You Tube videos
Links to articles about your group, other sites, etc.
PDF documents for readers to see more

Send in information for your directory listing to:
Luis Padial, Humboldt Park Portal Editor
lpadial@Bickerdike.org

Stay Tuned: The Humboldt Park Portal Will be Online Soon

We expect thousands of readers every month will visit the Humboldt Park Portal once it’s online. You’ll be able to edit and improve your directory listing—and we hope you post local events and interesting news items on the site as well. Look for us online at humboldtparkportal.org very soon!

Sales Tax Holiday Starts Friday

08/03/2010 01:12 PM

Important Information for Businesses and Consumers

A 10 day Sales Tax Holiday will begin in Chicago and throughout Illinois this Friday August 6th and last through August 15th. During this 10-day period consumers can purchase certain items and pay sales tax at a reduced rate.

It will cover clothing and footwear (items under $100) and school supplies. The State tax of 5% will be eliminated on all qualified products.

Items include qualifying clothing and footwear with a retail selling price of less than $100 and certain school supplies used by students in the course of study. School supplies are not subject to the $100 threshold.

For businesses:

The sales tax rate required to collect during the holiday period is the rate currently in effect on the date of the holiday minus 5 percent.

For example:

• The sales tax rate in Chicago is: 9.750%; Reduced amount (state portion) - 5.000%; Your sales tax rate during the holiday period is: 4.750%

Retailers must adjust their method of collecting sales tax so that beginning on August 6, 2010, and ending at the close of business August 15, 2010, they will collect the reduced tax rate on qualifying items.

Taxable receipts from the sale of qualifying items made during the state sales tax holiday must be reported on Lines 8a and 8b on the Sales and Use Tax Return.

To determine whether the eligible clothing item’s retail selling price is below $100, look at the price after the un-reimbursed coupon or store markdown but before a reimbursed coupon.

Qualifying items bundled with items that do not qualify for the state sales tax holiday rate will be subject to the reduced tax rate only if the value of the qualifying items exceed the value of the non-qualifying items.

Qualifying items purchased during the holiday with a rain check issued prior to the state sales tax holiday will qualify for the reduced sales tax rate. Qualifying items purchased after the state sales tax holiday with rain checks issued during the holiday are not eligible for the reduced tax rate.

Consumers who think they were overcharged, should bring it to the attention of the manager, if issues are not resolved they should call 311 to file a consumer complaint.

More information including a list of qualifying and non-qualifying school supplies, clothing and accessories are available online.

www.revenue.state.il.us/SalesTaxHoliday.htm

The Sales Tax Holiday is Illinois Senate Bill 3658, Signed into law on July 7, 2010 as Illinois Public Act 96-1012.

August Business Workshops

07/30/2010 04:58 PM

Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following August schedule for workshops that can help you with your business. All workshops are free and are held at 121 N LaSalle Street (City Hall) Room 805. For more information call (312) 744-5344 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

Additionally, the Small Business Solution Station provides big solutions for small businesses in a drop in setting. Get one-on-one business planning counseling (Tuedays). Obtain business legal advice / assistance (Wednesdays). Obtain fiancial advice and loan assistance (Thursdays). For more information see The Small Business Solution Station.

West Humboldt Park grows small businesses

07/14/2010 12:12 PM

Plenty of empty lots line the streets of West Humboldt Park. But the one at 3836 W. Chicago Ave. is special.

It sits next to the cinder-block home of Thermal Electric, Inc., an eight-year-old electrical, heating and cooling company that employs nine technicians and handles commercial and residential jobs in the city and suburbs. Read more...

July Business Workshops

07/02/2010 12:55 PM

Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following July schedule for workshops that can help you with your business. All workshops are free and are held at 121 N LaSalle Street (City Hall) Room 805. For more information call (312) 744-5344 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

Additionally, the Small Business Solution Station provides big solutions for small businesses in a drop in setting. Get one-on-one business planning counseling (Tuedays). Obtain business legal advice / assistance (Wednesdays). Obtain fiancial advice and loan assistance (Thursdays). For more information see The Small Business Solution Station.

Sign Amnesty for businesses

07/02/2010 01:12 PM

The Chicago Sign Permit Amnesty — a program offered by the City of Chicago Departments of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), Buildings (DOB), and Zoning and Land Use (DZLU) gives businesses a break on business signs without permits.

Chicago businesses with existing signs, canopies, awnings, banners or marquees may receive a one year waiver of permit fees when they voluntarily apply for any necessary but missing sign permits, either building permits and or public way use permits. The Amnesty provides a savings of up to $600 for business owners and will run through October 15, 2010. The program is for businesses that lack one or the other permit, or may be lacking both.

The program also aides in clarifying the permit requirements for hanging signs in Chicago. Businesses that have signs, canopies, awnings or marquees require a sign installation permit to install the sign ensuring that it is safe and secure. This installation permit must be obtained through DOB by a licensed sign installer, and is followed by an inspection every other year.

If the sign hangs over the public way, the business owner is required to obtain a public way use permit issued by BACP and requires City Council approval. These permits are renewed every five years, have an annual fee, and require proof of insurance.

“We are encouraging businesses to voluntarily come into compliance if they do not have all the required permits. The new streamlined process will also save businesses time and money, and enhance our services to small businesses,” said Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Norma I. Reyes.

The Amnesty Program is for existing businesses with existing signs that are less than 100 sq. ft and under 24 feet in height above ground.

Types of signs that are not eligible for the amnesty include billboards and oversized wall signs, and signs that are located at another location (not at the business location). Other ineligible signs include those that do not conform to the City’s current laws and those that are already permitted.

Eligible businesses will have fees waived by voluntarily coming into compliance.

The savings include the Building Permit fee that starts at $50, depending on the size; Zoning review fee that is $200, and the first years public way use fee that can range from $50-300, depending on the size; a total savings of more than $550.

In December 2009, the City introduced a number of ordinance changes to provide businesses with clear and easy rules to follow so they can be in compliance with the City’s requirements. This includes a new streamlined process to obtain on-premise business sign permits making it both easier and simpler for businesses.

Obtaining both a building permit and a public way use permit will begin in BACP’s Business Assistance Center; the two processes will be linked and both permits will be issued simultaneously. This will provide businesses with a clear understanding of the requirements necessary to hang and maintain a sign, canopy, awning, banner, or marquee in Chicago.

Another change includes a reduction in fees by creating a “Bundled Package” with a maximum fee of $175 for the three most common business uses that are on or over the public way, lights, canopies, awnings and signs.

Businesses interested in the Amnesty can contact the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection by calling 312-74GBOIZ (744-6249) or visit the website to download applications / brochures or in person at the Business Assistance Center in City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St. room 800. Chicago, IL. 60602.

WHP Farmer's Market a success

07/02/2010 03:44 PM

The first ever West Humboldt Park (WHP) Farmer’s Market & Bazaar opened for business on Saturday, June 5th. According to visitors, volunteers, and the Healthy Communities Initiative Committee (HCIC) Members it was a great success. This project is a result of Strategic Planning for the First Community Land Trust of Chicago (FCLTC). That planning began in 2006 with a hope from participants that “in 5 years, WHP would be a healthy, beautiful, safe, and affordable mixed income community, plentiful in options and opportunities for all of its residents.” Seven strategies were developed to tackle the concerns of residents. The WHP Farmers Market & Bazaar addresses the strategy to bring affordable, healthy food choices and recreational options to this neighborhood where residents are faced with substantial health risks such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and arthritis.

The Market features vendors selling an array of locally grown produce items, plus a variety of other items such as Avon, gift baskets, jewelry, and vintage clothing. Live entertainment, African drumming and dance, resource vendors, and lots more are also on hand. The August – October Market Days will have cooking demonstrations, nutrition education, and some workshops on at-home gardening.

The Market is supported by the WHP Development Council, its sister organization FCLTC, Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), Chicago Commons, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC), and 27th Ward Alderman, Walter Burnett, Jr. We would like to count on your support too. Upcoming Market Days are August 7th, September 4th, and October 2nd. For more information on the Market and If you’re interested in volunteering or vending, please contact Alicia at alicia@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net .

June Business Education Workshops

06/02/2010 10:15 AM

Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following June schedule for workshops that can help you with your business. All workshops are free and are held at 121 N LaSalle Street (City Hall) Room 805. For more information call (312) 744-5344 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

May Business Education Workshops

05/04/2010 04:59 PM

Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following May schedule for workshops that can help you with your business. All workshops are free and are held at 121 N LaSalle Street (City Hall) Room 805. For more information call (312) 744-5344 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

Two excellent ways to become a New Homeowner in West Humboldt Park

05/03/2010 12:43 PM

As described in our website, there are more than 10 reasons to feel good about West Humboldt Park in 2010. Included is the exciting opportunity to become a homeowner in a neighborhood located less than 7 miles from the loop, convenient to transportation to the downtown and elsewhere, and blessed with two beautiful parks.

There are two very attractive ways to become a new homeowner in WHP. If you are a first-time homebuyer, for instance, and want to buy a brand new affordable home, the First Community Land Trust of Chicago offers newly constructed homes for buyers who earn 60% or less of the Metropolitan Median Income. A family of four, for example, would earn as little as $37,700 per year. If you are willing to rehab a foreclosed home, you can purchase such a home, and obtain a rehab loan, from the Neighborhood Housing Services. Whether you wish to buy a brand new home or a foreclosed home, you must be able to pass a credit test.

The First Community Land Trust of Chicago uses an innovative model to help new homeowners buy at affordable rates. The land trust owns the land and the homebuyer purchases only the home. This saves the homeowner the cost of the land and also assures affordability into the future. Homebuyers obtain a beautiful brand new home costing about $225,000 to build. Subsidies of up to $71,000 from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and Chicago Department of Housing are available to qualified buyers. With a down payment of $2,500-$3,000 you can be in your new home. A typical mortgage is just between $89,000-105,800.

But living in a new home is not the only advantage of buying a land trust home. Owners are highly encouraged (even helped) to participate in the Individual Development Account (IDA) program, join a block club, and work in a variety of other programs to improve the quality of life for themselves and for their family and neighbors. The IDA program offers the homeowner the opportunity to save up to $2,000 and receive a match of $4,000. The total of $6,000 can be used to go to college or receive technical training, start a business, or improve their home.

These homes are 3-bedroom, 1 3/4 bath with over 1,900 square feet and a spacious open floor plan. Buyers of land trust homes get loan pre-qualification and homebuyer counseling through Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS), free buyer legal advice, and post-purchase support.

If you are interested in purchasing a foreclosed home and rehabbing it Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) offers a Purchase and Rehab Loan Program. This program will give buyers the opportunity to purchase a foreclosed home in West Humboldt Park and also provides an additional rehab loan for construction work along with technical assistance and support from NHS. NHS can empower you with critical information and support to make the purchase and rehab move smoothly and help minimize risk.

This program requires a minimal down payment of 1-5% of the purchase price. A 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for 80% of the total project cost (purchase price plus rehab, closing and soft costs). An additional "Gap" Loan is provided at the same rate as the first mortgage so borrowers can have a smaller down payment and do not have to purchase Private Mortgage Insurance. This program is for owner occupied properties and can include 2- to 4-unit properties. Borrowers get the advantage of NHS's 4-class Home Ownership Education program. Licensed, insured contractors must perform all rehabilitation work, and an NHS Construction Specialist will be assigned to your project to guide you through the construction process.

Both of the above programs are great ways to purchase a home in West Humboldt Park and take part in the renaissance of this community. For additional information on either of these programs please contact the First Community Land Trust of Chicago at (773) 342-0036 or Neighborhood Housing Services at (773) 533-5570.

Chicago Avenue Improvement Project

04/27/2010 03:49 PM

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is improving Chicago Avenue from Laramie to Grand Avenue. This marks the second phase of the Chicago Avenue improvement project, which is upgrading chicago Avenue from Laramie to I-90/94. The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

April Business Education Workshops

04/14/2010 09:38 AM

Did you know that the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs offers a regular set of business workshops free of charge? Check out the following April schedule for workshops that can help you with your business. All workshops are free and are held at 121 N LaSalle Street (City Hall) Room 805. For more information call (312) 744-5344 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/bacp.

10 reasons to feel good about West Humboldt Park in 2010

03/12/2010 03:39 PM

1. Free grant money for business owners

Three Chicago Avenue business owners have obtained conditional approval for grants totaling $140,000. The grant money offered through the City's Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program will allow one business to obtain a vacant city-owned lot, expand his business, and position his business for the future.

SBIF helps owners of commercial properties and/or tenants to repair or remodel their facilities. Program participants can receive reimbursing grants to cover from 25-75% of the project cost with a maximum grant amount of $150,000. This grant does not have to be repaid.

Funds are still available. If you are a business-owner or commercial property owner and would like to make capital improvements to your space please contact Tom Otto tom@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net or 773-342-0036 to obtain more information.

2. New help for business owners and entrepreneurs

Do you need help obtaining your MBE/WBE certifications
Would you like help developing a social networking strategy?
Do you need help writing a business plan?

Free expert help is available through our new one-on-one mentoring program for area business owners. How does the program work? The initial meeting is a discussion of your business and what kind of help you need. We can then schedule a series of meetings to help you to achieve your goals, grow your business, and succeed. For more information contact Tom Otto tom@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net or 773-342-0036.

3. A new Chicago Avenue street & streetscape

What is 2.77 miles long, has 536 new trees and 258 new light poles? The Chicago Avenue Improvement Project. Chicago Avenue will be completely repaved starting this spring. The project will also include new utilities, pavement widening, and a new streetscape. This is a great opportunity to revitalize West Humboldt Park's main commercial corridor. Commercial pioneers are now needed to rehab and renovate existing structures on Chicago Avenue and open new shops and restaurants.

4. More new single-family affordable homes

The First Community Land Trust of Chicago is building more single-family homes for first-time homebuyers on the 400 block of N Hamlin. These homes would be valued at $225,000 if market rate but are offered to families earning <60% of area median income. Subsidies of up to $70,000 are available for qualified buyers. Buyers typically have a mortgage of only $89,000 -106,000 after subsidies. For more information on these 3 bedroom 1 3/4 bath homes please see http://www.whpdevelopmentcouncil.net/CLT/

5. A new West Humboldt Park Library

A new 16,000 sq ft full service library will be built at 733 N Kedzie. The building will be designed to achieve LEED "silver" certification and will incorporate a green roof. The location is just east of Kells Park and south of Chicago Avenue. The library will have 2 community reading rooms and an outdoor reading garden. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2010.

6. More and better block clubs

Block Clubs empower residents so that they might realize their potential when it comes to their affect on the character of their neighborhood. In January 2004, the West Humboldt Park Block Club network (WHPBCN) was created as a way for individual block clubs to get to know one another, share ideas and success stories, and expand their resources and their range of focus. Today there are dozens of block clubs working together to make West Humboldt Park a better place. A Best Practices Manual is now out to help new and existing block clubs better achieve their goals.

7. A new Garfield Park Hospital

Hartgrove Hospital will renovate the vacant facility at 520 N Ridgeway into an 88 bed acute care hospital. The $14 million renovation will return high quality behavioral health care to an underserved community. The facility will have a total of 200 positions and will hire from the community.

8. New opportunities for kid and family-focused activities

The new Kelly Hall YMCA is hosting a variety of kid and family-focused programming to get kids off the street and into positive activities.

9. More healthy living options

The Healthy Community Initiative is a grassroots coalition promoting healthy lifestyle changes, events and options. Look for Ujima Community Garden, an edible garden, opening up at Central Park & Ohio this spring.

10. More opportunities for jobs and local hiring

The Building Employment and Entrepreneurial Partnerships (BEEP) committee is working as a liaison between in-coming developers and businesses and the community to create jobs for local residents. BEEP also works to promote small business and entrepreneurship in the community.

QUALITY OF LIFE PLAN Humboldt Park: Staking Our Claim Quality of Life Plan (July 2008 LISC)

03/09/2010 03:31 PM

Note: This plan addresses Greater Humboldt Park (both East and West Humboldt Park).

Greater Humboldt Park is a large community that spans from Western on the east to Cicero on the west, and from Kinzie on the south to the Bloomingdale rail corridor on the north, anchored by the 207-acre newly revitalized Humboldt Park. Greater Humboldt Park has historically been an entry point for immigrant populations, and over the last 30 years has had a strong Puerto Rican heritage to the east, a sizable African-American community to the west, and a growing Mexican population which has most recently enriched our mix. We are a neighborhood of workers, and the factories and railroads that surround our community are part of our history. We came to Humboldt Park in search of jobs, decent affordable housing, good schools, convenient shopping, and the sense of community. We are well organized, have a healthy sense of pride and a fighting spirit. Our largely low to moderate income community has faced and overcome many challenges. But we see new challenges ahead:

Historical gentrification to the east;
Escalating housing costs and property taxes;
Declining household incomes;
High housing cost burdens with more than 60% of local renters and homeowners paying more than one third of their income on housing;
Growing recent home foreclosures at a rate much higher than the city average; and
The danger that community residents will be forced from the community they call home.

Our community also faces other pressures, such as high educational dropout rates and gang boundaries that restrict the movement of our youth across the larger geographic area and our neighborhoods, which limits opportunities and threatens personal and community safety.

Fortunately, our community has a history of constructive resident involvement and a legacy of neighborhood planning that has provided opportunities for discussion and helped define our visions for the future. We have proven that we can work together to create a brighter future for our community.

The Humboldt Park community has worked during the five years since our quality-of-life plan was first adopted to successfully bring to fruition the vast majority of the more than 50 project areas in the plan, build trust among diverse constituencies, engineer greater coordination, and transcend “turf ” issues among various segments of the community. We have made significant progress in building cultural bridges and even more progress in developing the organizational capacity needed to effectively address the issues and challenges in our neighborhoods. We are now ready to raise the stakes and step up our efforts to meet those needs. Read the entire QUALITY OF LIFE PLAN.

MetroEdge Study shows significant buying power in West Humboldt Park.

03/09/2010 04:16 PM

The 2007 MetroEdge Study, commissioned by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), found that there is a significant level of buying power in the community. Greater Humboldt Park ranked 26^th in buying power out of the 77 Chicago community areas. There is also a significant amount of unmet demand, particularly in retail. For example, 89% of the demand for furniture and 86% of the demand for electronics and appliances is purchased outside of Greater Humboldt Park. The amount of “float” referred to in the study is the difference between local demand and supply. The average float in Humboldt Park is 56%.

Metro Edge Study Retail Float Summary.

LISC MetroEdge concluded that the Greater Humboldt Park neighborhood is a market with a strong residential customer base, with stable and rising incomes, steady and growing population and public and private investments in residential and commercial projects. Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation is an anchor community leader, Alderman Walter Burnett and Alderman Billy Ocasio are committed supporters, and major institutions such as the West Humboldt Park Development Council, Division Street Business Development Association, Near Northwest Neighborhood Network and others are capable partners with NCP Bickerdike in bringing new investment to the neighborhood. (Source: Executive Summary LISC MetroEdge June 2008)

Read the complete Metro Edge Study.

Is West Humboldt Park a "Healthy Community" ?

03/03/2010 09:26 AM

Healthy Communities Initiative – Healthy Stores

The Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) is a committee born out of the WHP Block Club Network (BCN). The vision of the committee is to foster a community commitment that embraces the belief that health is more than merely the absence of disease, but also includes those elements that enable people to maintain a high quality of life and productivity.

One of the committees’ items of focus for 2010 is Healthy Stores. Some of the issues that neighborhood residents have expressed concern about are: constant loitering, unhealthy food choices (including food sold past the expiration date), unsanitary conditions, discourteous service, negative advertising, loose cigarette sales, trash disposal, signage and façade appearance, and the sales practices of the few liquor stores still present in our community. The committee plans to work with store owners to help them address some of the community’s concerns. The committee wants to build a positive and proactive working relationship with store owners. There are plans for community education forums to empower both residents and the business community on the best practices for addressing community concerns. The next meeting date for the Healthy Communities Initiative is Saturday, March 20 at 11am at the Nia Center. If you would like to be involved in helping to make West Humboldt Park a more healthy community please contact Janece or Alicia at (773) 342-0036.

Businesses take Advantage of Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) Grants

03/03/2010 09:42 AM

Free money for capital improvements

Three businesses have submitted applications for Small Business Improvement (SBIF) grants. These 3 business owners attended the SBIF Rollout Event on Friday, October 2 at the Kelly Hall YMCA which was attended by 26 people representing 14 businesses. This event, sponsored by the West Humboldt Park Business Association, marked the launch of $500,000 in new funding for the program. Derek Walvoord and John Paulun of Somercor provided an overview of the program and how it can benefit business and property owners.

SBIF Program: The program uses Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) revenues to help owners of commercial properties and/or tenants to repair or remodel their facilities. Program participants can receive reimbursing grants to cover from 25-75% of the project cost with a maximum grant amount of $150,000. This grant does not have to be repaid.

Eligible Expenses include but are not limited to:

    * New windows, floors or roof
    * Sign removal and replacement
    * Tuck pointing
    * New heating, ventilation and air conditioning
    * Improvements to accommodate disabled persons
    * Purchase of adjacent property for building expansion or parking

Wondering if you qualify? For additional information on this program please contact Tom Otto at (773) 342-0036 or SomerCor

West Humboldt Park Business Association providing one-on-one mentoring for small business owners

03/03/2010 09:55 AM

The West Humboldt Park Business Association has partnered with Chicago Community Ventures to provide mentoring and technical support to neighborhood businesses. A survey of neighborhood businesses indicated that most businesses needed help with marketing and access to capital. "We saw a need in the business community and we are trying to meet that need" said Tom Otto.
How the program works: We arrange an initial meeting at our office or at your business to discuss your needs. A regular meeting schedule is arranged. We meet regularly to provide counseling, updates, information, and assistance.
The type of help provided. We can assist you in almost any area. The types of assistance we are currently helping businesses with include:
•   Marketing
•   Writing a business plan
•   Setting up a web site
•   Obtaining MBE/WBE certification
•   Assistance applying for SBIF grants
•   Obtaining financing
How to apply: We want to help you! We have space for a few more business owners. For more information please contact Tom Otto at (773) 342-0036.

Is Humboldt Park a "Smart Community"?

03/03/2010 04:36 PM

The Smart Communities Program promotes digital access for children and families, businesses, agencies and other institutions.

Humboldt Park is limited in broadband connectivity and as a consequence, also limited in economic opportunity. Only 43% of Humboldt Park residents have access to broadband at home. This means that many of our residents and businesses are being left out of the economic mainstream that now requires broadband for virtually all economic activity.

In addition to providing hardware, software and training, Smart Communities aims to build a “culture of digital excellence” that will require outreach, education, and the application of community organizing techniques to 21st Century technology.

The Humboldt Park Smart Communities Program is a collaborative effort of key Humboldt Park organizations including the West Humboldt Park Development Council and is run by NCP lead agency Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp.

The Humboldt Park Smart Communities Plan has 5 strategies: 1.) build awareness, 2.)expand digital education and training, 3.)improve access to technology, 4.)generate local content about neighborhood news and resources, and 5.)help existing businesses and attract new ones. (Click to download the master plan.)

Upcoming projects: Look for a Humboldt Park Portal website. The portal will be a business, civic, arts, and community resource for all things Humboldt Park. Of particular interest are a cumulative events listing in which anyone can add events, a business and organization listing, and articles on featured businesses. The portal will be interactive and democratic in the sense that residents, businesses and organizations are encouraged to upload content.

And the West Humboldt Park Development Council will become a business resource center providing technology assessments and assistance with writing technology business plans. An application is pending for two HP “Touch Smart” Kiosk computers which would be available for community members to prepare resumes and perform job searches.

The Smart Communities Program is funded through LISC, State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, and Microsoft Corp. Read more...

To find out more about the Smart Communities Program in Humboldt Park watch this short video.

West Humboldt Park Business Association Launched

03/03/2010 10:00 AM

On Tuesday, June 9, 2009 over thirty West Humboldt Park business owners enjoyed Dominican food at El Sitio (1255 N Pulaski) and listened to speakers from ACCION, Chicago Community Ventures, and the Chicago Department of Transportation. Jill Stephens of ACCION, a community development lender, talked about the credit and business assistance ACCION provides to small business owners who do not have access to traditional sources of financing. Since 1994, ACCION has helped over 1,000 businesses in the Chicago area. Tom Cassell of Chicago Community Ventures, a business development organization, talked about the counseling and financial services that they provide to small businesses. Our motto is “guidance…access…growth.”Tom said. Chicago Community Ventures provides hands-on technical assistance and guidance to access and manage capital, putting businesses on the path to growth and success. The services of ACCION and Chicago Community Ventures are provided at little or no cost to business clients.
The West Humboldt Park Business Association held this introductory luncheon to showcase its commitment to community business owners. The association formed to build a business community in the neighborhood, to provide access to credit, business counseling, and marketing assistance. Business owners are “vested in the West Humboldt Park community,” said Jimmy Simmons, and “by working together we are stronger and more effective.” The business association can provide networking and marketing help that businesses need in this challenging economy. Business owners do not need to go it alone.
The West Humboldt Park Business Association held this introductory luncheon to showcase its commitment to community business owners. The association formed to build a business community in the neighborhood. For more information on the West Humboldt Park Business Association please contact Tom Otto at (773) 342-0036 or tom@whpdevelopmentcouncil.net. Additional networking and informational events are in the planning stage.

The West Humboldt Park community

03/05/2010 02:52 PM

The West Humboldt Park neighborhood sits to the west of its namesake, the historic 207-acre Humboldt Park and to the east of beautiful Garfield Park. Once home to immigrants of Eastern European descent, it is now a predominantly African American and Latino community. West Humboldt Park comprises an area of approximately there and a half square miles only a few miles from the loop, easily assessable by highway and public transportation.

Today West Humboldt Park is a community of change and one of great potential. The main commercial district, Chicago Avenue, is the central business district comprised of a variety of small businesses. Plans are currently underway for major streetscaping (spring and summer 2010) which will enhance the corridor and attract more business to the area.

The community has very active community participation through block clubs and local task forces. This has led to several community based successes including:

Development of a Community Land Trust to develop affordable single-family homes
Increased programming in area parks
Development of a healthy Community Initiative

Collaboration like this among residents and community organizations actively promotes the revitalization and preservation of the character of the West Humboldt Park community.