Contributed photo | www.wbdc.org
Contributed photo | www.wbdc.org
By WBDC
Women's Business Development Center recently issued the following announcement.
A newsletter that helps you take your business to the next level.
KEY INFORMATION
$250M Back2Business Grant | Now Accepting Applications!
As part of Governor JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan, DCEO
launches the Illinois #Back2Business (B2B) grant program. This $250 million investment is targeted to reach Illinois’ hardest-hit industries and disproportionally impacted areas with grants of $5K-$150K to help recover from economic losses. Over 100 community navigator organizations stand ready to help you apply - 1:1,
multilingual assistance available in every region. Through the new B2B portal hosted by Allies4CB, the application process is fast, easy, and trackable in real-time.
State of Illinois to Celebrate Black Business Month in August
State to host events and recognize the contributions of over 132,000 Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the state during national observance
To honor the contributions of Black-owned businesses across the state, today the State of Illinois, with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the celebration of Black Business Month by highlighting a series of events and initiatives taking place throughout the month of August. This month-long celebration includes collaborations with community leaders, organizations, and business enterprises throughout the state, inviting Illinoisans to “Shop Black-owned Business Saturdays,” as well as discussing opportunities for the community to access the upcoming “Back to Business” recovery assistance program through the ARPA.
City Launches Business Recovery Payment Plan Program
In accordance with the City’s plan to provide critical financial relief to Chicago’s business community, the Department of Finance is excited to launch the Business Recovery Payment Plan Program. Through this program, eligible business license holders can enter into a payment plan with as little as $25 down with terms up to 60 months. This will remove barriers for business owners that owe City debt and allow them to resolve holds on their business licenses with minimal burden.
The Business Recovery Payment Plan Program is available through June 30, 2022 for most debt types.
The WBDC is a Business Support Organization for the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery: Small Business Assistance program, which provides support for small businesses impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers advising for small businesses located in Cook County (including the city of Chicago, suburban Cook, and Unicorporated Cook and the unicorporated areas).
Let our business advisors set you on a path to success.
Call the WBDC to book a one-on-one session for advice from a member of our professional team of business advisors on every aspect of starting and growing your business.
Call 312-853-3477, ext. 100 for an appointment
Looking for advice more specific to your business, such as for COVID resources, international trade, procurement technical assistance, or cannabis?
COVID-19 Business Resources
Explore resources, education, and advising for your business during these unprecedented times.
The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at WBDC
Dive into an advising session that is prepared to assist you and your business in export readiness.
The Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at WBDC
Gain an understanding of how to compete for federal, state, county, or city government contracts.
CannaBiz Essentials
Get advice from the WBDC's cannabis advisors on how to launch and grow your cannabis business!
For more programs and services from the WBDC, visit our website here, and learn how we can assist you with your business needs.
EVENTS
Business Workshops
Thursday, August 26, 2021
UPCOMING FALL 2021 COHORTS
Launch and grow your business in our upcoming business cohorts. Register and apply for what's best for your business today!
Cohort Dates | Every Wednesday | September 15 – November 17, 2021
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm, CST
Cohort Dates | Every Monday and Wednesday | September 13 – September 29, 2021
9:00 am – 11:00 am, CST
OTHER HAPPENINGS IN OUR NETWORK
Let's Talk Womxn
Let's talk is a collaboration of women restaurateurs to build combined economic power. Join the talk on August 27th at 6 pm.
LGBTCC Biz Bootcamp
Are you an emerging LGBTQ+ business owner? If so, this message is for you. Hosted by the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, the LGBTQ+ Biz Bootcamp is an eight-week program for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who need strategic guidance and support in drafting a business plan and business pitch deck. As a participant, you are able to access guest speakers and mentors that will help guide the early-stage development of your business.
Apply today to take your LGBTQ+ owned business to the next level. There is an Open House on August 30th, and applications are due September 8th.
Bake Squad on Netflix
Tune in to watch one of our WBE's, Chef Maya-Camille of Justice of the Pies on Bake Squad on Netflix.
WBDC ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you for Supporting Women Business Owners!
Please join the WBDC in congratulating our top five Shirley Marx Pitch Competition Series Finalists. The competition has been fierce and will only heat up as the Finalists prepare for the final round. These five finalists will now have the opportunity to work with their CP Pitch Coaches again to refine their pitch and record a new 3-minute pitch video for the final round of the competition.
The finalists’ videos will be shown at the WBDC’s Annual Midwest Conference in September where the winners will be announced and cash prizes will be awarded. We hope you will be able to join us on September 14 at the WBDC-Midwest Virtual Conference to cheer on our 5 WBE finalists. The finalists will advance to the final round, and their 3-minute pitches will be presented at our 2021 Annual Midwest Conference: Virtual Edition on September 14, 2020.
We invite you or anyone you know who is passionate about economic empowerment for women and other diverse entrepreneurs to review our open positions by clicking the button below.
We'd love to hear from you or someone you've recommended!
Click on "Search for Jobs" to view all WBDC openings
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