Resources for Small Businesses
Illinois Small Business Centers (ISBCs)
Illinois Small Business Development Centers are located throughout the state and provide information, confidential business guidance, training, and other resources for start-ups and existing small businesses.
Services include:
One-on-one business advice and management assistance
Assistance with the development of business plans
Help with accessing market information and the development of marketing plans
Assistance with accessing business financing programs
Assistance with financial analysis and planning
Access to business education and training opportunities
Specialized services in technology, innovation and entrepreneurial development
Illinois Small Business Centers Nearest:
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contact: Veronica Pineau
3636 S Iron St
Chicago Illinois 60609
312-933-6556
veronica@36business.org
Illinois SBDC at Binational Institute
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contact: Amairani Agraz
2751 W 16th Street
Chicago IL 60608
312-854-2866
amairani@binationalinstitute.com
IIlinois SBDC at Greater Southwest Development Corp. (GSDC)
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contact: Akilah McCord
2601 W. 63rd Street
Chicago IL 60629
773-436-1000
a.mccord@greatersouthwest.org
Illinois SBDC at Little Village Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Contact: Laura Rodriguez
3610 W. 26th Street
Chicago IL 60623
312-853-3477 ext. 850
lrodriguez@wbdc.org
Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDCs)
NBDCs provide free hyper-local support to entrepreneurs and business owners through strong neighborhood network to help connect businesses to financial resources, business-to-business networking opportunities, employment and workforce development assistance and more. Find your local NBDC by visiting Chicago.gov/NBDC.
Chicago Business Centers (CBCs)
CBCs are eight Chicago-based business service organizations located in neighborhoods to serve as regional hubs providing free business licensing assistance and other resources for small businesses. The eight centers fill the current gap of local business resources, particularly for entrepreneurs in historically underserved locations and populations. To learn more, visit Chicago.gov/CBC.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. To learn more, visit SBA.gov.
Grants and loans available through the SBA
Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)
Loading/Standing Zone Application
Business Education Webinars:
To view upcoming webinars, visit Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation.
To view past webinars, visit YouTube.com/ChicagoBACP.
Small Business Grants and Loans
Accion Opportunity Fund : https://aofund.org/small-business-loans/
Impacto Hispanic Business Accelerator https://aofund.org/program/impacto/#Overview
Contact our local Small Business Center for business assistance: 36 Squared
You can also reach out to Sabrina Lopez Zuniga our 12th Ward Business & Development Director at sabrina@the12thward.org