Business Resources
Upcoming Events
Each year, North Branch Works partners with businesses across our service area to share the depth of craft products in our neighborhood. Discover the power of local manufacturing within the developing and innovative North Branch industrial corridor. In this tour, you will meet the community leaders, business owners, and neighbors who have built our neighborhood and have created thriving businesses in our area.
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) offers free business education webinars every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00pm and Friday morning at 9:30am.
Topics include: business licensing, City inspectors, operations, financial resources, marketing, and more.
Programs are free and open to the public and taught by industry professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and government agencies.
The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund provides small businesses and certain nonprofits with reimbursement grants for permanent building improvement costs.
Northwest Industrial Corridor - MAP: Open 9am on Saturday, August 1 until 5pm on Sunday, August 30
Fullerton/Milwaukee - MAP: Opens 9am on Tuesday, September 1 until 5pm on Wednesday, September 30
Armitage/Pulaski - MAP: CLOSED
Division/Homan - MAP: CLOSED
Pulaski Corridor - MAP: CLOSED
The Neighborhood Opportunity Fund provides capital development grants up to $250,000 for small businesses and cultural projects.
Upcoming Application Deadlines:
Q2 2026: 11:59pm on Friday, May 15 - APPLY NOW
Q3 2026: 11:59pm on Friday, August 14
Q4 2026: 11:59pm on Friday, November 13
The Neighborhood Retail Activation Program supports communities that have faced significant economic disruption and displacement. The Belmont Cragin and its Belmont/Central Commercial Corridor program is administered by the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation.
If you are a business owner and are interested in participating in this program, please fill out the Neighborhood Retail Activation Business Interest Form.
If you are a landlord with properties that may be a good fit, please fill out the Property Owner Interest Form.
The City of Chicago’s Department of Planning & Development offers Community Development Grants:
Medium grants: $300,001 to $5 million due 11:59pm on Friday, August 14 - APPLY NOW
Large grants: over $5 million due on a rolling basis
BACP’s Chicago Business Zoning Guide is a user-friendly resource designed to help business owners, property owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs understand how zoning regulations affect where and how they can operate in the city. Use this guide as a starting point for navigating the city’s zoning process before selecting a location or applying for a business license.
Before choosing your new business location it is important to check the zoning code and the presence of liquor moratoria. Certain types of business-uses may be restricted depending on what type of zone the property is in. If you are seeking a zoning change for your business, you can read more about our office’s zoning process here.
Your Questions, Answered
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Letter of support
Block party permit
Special use permit
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There are three main departments you may work worth:
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