Thriving commercial corridors support local communities across Chicago and Cook County. Prior to the pandemic, however, many corridors struggled. As Chicago emerges from the pandemic and local communities confront a new economic landscape, a strong coalition of stakeholders is needed to advocate for policies and initiatives which will revitalize, empower and connect commercial corridors and neighborhoods.
Words From Our Partners
For me, being a member of BSM and a part of this coalition, it hits everything that we’re searching for in our organization. Economic development is one of the key problems in our underserved communities. We all ride past blocks of vacant storefronts that could be useful in our communities if the right business was there.
- Danielle Petty, Founder & CEO, L.T. Consultants, LLC, Secretary, BSM
The fastest way to stop a bullet is a job, and so if we want these businesses to be in our communities and to hire our boys from the community, we have to make sure that they are able to be in our community.
-Sydnie Monegan, Sgt At Arms, BSM
I’m from the community. I understand the issues. I’ve survived a lot of obstacles. I’m blessed to be a success story, and I owe to the community to give back and do whatever I can to make it better, so that’s why I wanted to be part of this.
-Michael Bempah, President, BSM
... I had lived in DC; I’ve lived in New York, and I’ve seen this shift of gentrification, aka urban renewal aka suburbanization, happen, and personally, I come from the West Side. I come from the West Side and I come from seeing it all, being a part of it, and the reality that the opportunities that exist are endless when we create them.
-Shantae Edwards, VP, BSM
SBAC Empower Presents: What to Ask Before Opening Your Doors
What to Ask Before You Open Your Door SBAC Empower partners with Logan Square Chamber of Commerce to present a Q&A session on Zoning, Real Estate and Funding aimed at small business owners looking to open a new business in the city of Chicago. Click on the Video to open in YouTube and jump to…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Chicago Recovery Grants
“City funding will support more than $137 million in neighborhood investments.” Twenty-six new and expanded restaurants, health centers, cultural institutions and other neighborhood improvement projects will move forward through more than $33.5 million in Chicago Recovery Plan (CRP) grants announced by Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and City officials. This funding is all available through…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Outdoor Dining Along Glenwood Avenue in Rogers Park Kicks Off Friday As Part Of Chicago Alfresco Program
“The program could be renewed for up to three if this run is successful,” Hadden wrote. Dining in the streets returns Friday to Rogers Park on Glenwood Avenue. This is a part of the Chicago Alfresco initiative, which seeks to create opportunities for long term community public spaces across Chicago. Small businesses are an integral…