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April 26, 2023

Warehouse Gym & Boxing Club recently announced the opening of their newly expanded facility in Highland Park. Founded by Highland Park resident, and former boxing champion Albert Falcon, the full gym features cardio equipment, free and machine weights, boxing rings, and bags. Boxing classes are offered to adults, kids and teens, and all classes are taught by trainers with a deep understanding of boxing and fitness to help customers achieve their goals. Albert Falcon’s boxing philosophy focuses on self-esteem and being stronger, both physically and mentally­­. 

1630 Old Deerfield Road  / 224.775.1575 / Warehouse Gym & Boxing Club

Spring is here, and there’s no better time for a flooring refresh for your home or office. Olson Rug & Flooring sells luxury vinyl, carpet, hardwood, rugs, and laminate from brands such as Karastan, Casabella hardwood, Masland, Shaw luxury vinyl, Tuftex, Anderson hardwood, IVC sheet vinyl, and more. Fun fact: Olson Rug & Flooring was established in Chicago in 1874. During the war era, when raw material was scarce, people would send in their old wool rugs, rags, clothing etc. and Olson Rug would turn them into a beautiful area rug.

3300 Skokie Valley Road / 847.926.8260 / Olson Rug & Flooring

Join us for the City's annual Arbor Day celebration on Saturday, April 29 from 9:00 - 11:00 AM. This year's event will be held in-person (not drive-thru) at the Ravinia Festival West Parking Lot (301 Ravinia Park Road; entrance off Green Bay Road). The event will feature exhibits, demos and giveaways to brighten up your home and garden this spring, including:

• Plant and seed giveaways.
• A Touch-A-Truck exhibit.
• Document shredding (≤ 4 boxes/ household)
• A tree planting demonstration and Q&A with an arborist.
• A "meet and greet" with birds of prey in Illinois.
• Bicycle recycling and more!

Thank you to the City's event supporters: Advanced Tree Care, Bartlett Tree Experts, ComEd, Davey Tree Experts Company, Habitat Highland Park, Lakeshore Recycling Systems, Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education, Park District of Highland Park, Ravinia Festival, SWALCO and Working Bikes.

The Sponsor-A-Planter Program offers residents and businesses the opportunity to sponsor an available municipal planter during the summer and fall seasons. An annual fee covers planting, maintenance, and a 5” x 7” commemorative placard in the planter. The placard may recognize the sponsor or commemorate an individual or family. Planters are located in the Central Business District and the Ravinia District and are maintained from May to November.

More information is available at cityhpil.com. Please contact the Office of Business Development at 847.926.1046 with questions. 

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $175 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) program for restaurants, hotels, and creative arts businesses. Applications will be accepted from April 5 through May 10 and take approximately two hours to complete. Awards are expected to be made several weeks after the deadline date. All eligible applicants will receive a grant as long as the business meets eligibility requirements and submits proper documentation and attestations. Program information available here.

For more information and questions, please contact:

Mitch Bienvenue, Director, Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center College of Lake County

847.543.2750 / mbienvenue@clcillinois.edu

Agnes Masnik, Northeast Regional Manager, Office of Regional Economic Development Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity

University Center of Lake County

312.882.6840 / Agnes.Masnik@illinois.gov / www.illinois.gov/dceo

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Illinois will receive up to $354.6 million to administer programs as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The expanded program offering through SSBCI will enable Illinois to support small businesses across the state - helping them attract more capital investment and expand or launch business operations, while supporting key sectors. All of the new programs will launch in the coming months.

• Advantage Illinois (AI) Loan Guarantee Program (New Program)

Advantage Illinois' new Loan Guarantee Program will support business applicants who are having difficulty gaining access to capital by using funds to guarantee a percentage of loans provided by partner lenders.

• IN-VENT Venture Capital Program (VCP) (New Program)

Innovation Venture Fund (IN-VENT) will operate as a direct equity program with a focus on investing in businesses in key industries such as agriculture, ag tech, information technology, life sciences, manufacturing, quantum, and more.

• Climate Bank Finance Loan Participation Program (New Program)

This new program will be overseen by DCEO and administered by the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), which will partner with local lenders to issue the loans. Climate Bank funds will be available to small businesses in the clean energy sector.

To receive program updates, please fill out the following form.

The City of Highland Park’s Small Business Facade Improvement Program (SBFIP) provides assistance and incentive to property owners and local businesses to improve the appearance and functionality of their property and place of business. The SBFIP is available for small business operators and commercial property owners citywide. Eligible owners of commercial/retail buildings and small business owners operating within a commercial/retail building may apply for a City grant that may reimburse up to 50% of the approved eligible improvement(s) to a maximum of $5,000 per project. A small business is defined as having a net worth of less than two million dollars, and as showing less than an average of two hundred thousand dollars in profit per year for two years after taxes. The following are a few examples of eligible expenses:  

• Installing new awnings/signage
• Replacing, repainting, or restoring exterior doors
• Repairing or upgrading exterior lighting
• Painting building exterior 

SCORE offers in-person or virtual sessions using phone, email, or video

All sessions are free and confidential. SCORE mentors are successful business professionals, some retired, some working, from all industries and experiences.

SCORE recently added a new YouTube channel where all previously recorded webinars can be accessed.

To schedule an in-person or virtual session, visit score.org/northchicago and register to “Find a Mentor”. You will be asked to provide the nature of your business interest. Please include whether you prefer in-person or virtual mentoring (phone, email, video) and note the Highland Park Public Library even if you prefer a virtual session.

The City encourages business owners and managers to share information regarding upcoming events, promotions or news for possible inclusion in the City's marketing modalities, including The Weekender, Enjoy Highland Park, and social media. Please send these items to the City via email to: businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com.

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1027.

Questions regarding enjoyhighlandpark.com should be addressed to Amanda Bennett, Communications Manager, at abennett@cityhpil.com.

This newsletter is produced by the City of Highland Park's Office of Business Development. If you have information you would like to include in this weekly mailing, please submit information, photos, and news to businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com. The City reserves the right to edit and/or filter submissions.