![SBAC Logo High Res SBAC Logo High Res](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1994/2020/11/SBAC-Logo-High-Res-ca2238f2-09af-4978-903c-7ca192489764.png)
![WeRise_Hori_White_Logo_RETINA WeRise_Hori_White_Logo_RETINA](https://growthzonecmsprodeastus.azureedge.net/sites/1994/2023/09/WeRise_Hori_White_Logo_RETINA-5040b781-cb69-49b2-9ddb-04b9575d8704.png)
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![814 W. 69th Street 814 W. 69th Street](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/814-W.-69th-Street-768x1024-circle.jpg)
Replacing vacant properties with thriving small businesses will foster economic development in disinvested Chicago neighborhoods. With the support of We Rise Together: For an Equitable & Just Recovery (We Rise Together), the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) and Allies for Community Business (A4CB) are excited to announce the launch of a program focused on connecting vacant property owners with entrepreneurs ready to transition or expand into brick-and-mortar spaces.
![6910 S. Halsted Street 6910 S. Halsted Street](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/6910-S.-Halsted-Street-c7737f61-6260-4407-bc5f-431e41bd5cec-circle.jpg)
![759 W. 69th Street 759 W. 69th Street](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/759-W.-69th-Street-54afd849-2186-42cb-b6f2-31775b10864e-square.jpg)
The program will connect vacant property owners with entrepreneurs in Auburn Gresham, Austin, Back of the Yards, Englewood, Gage Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, South Shore, Washington Park, and West Lawn. The program will also provide small business owners with funding to help them transition into brick-and-mortar spaces. Coaching services will also be provided to entrepreneurs. This collaborative project will engage chambers of commerce and placed based organizations in communities served by We Rise Together.
![752 W. 69th Street 752 W. 69th Street](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/752-W.-69th-Street-7c64328e-f453-4b6b-8475-981084905328-square.jpg)
![733 W. 69th Street (closeup)HEIC 733 W. 69th Street (closeup)HEIC](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/733-W.-69th-Street-closeupHEIC-f90a3edf-df19-45cd-bedf-4db20b0c514d-circle.jpg)
This program will:
· Identify small businesses that wish to expand into brick-and-mortar spaces.
· Provide eligible businesses coaching and educational services.
· Connect businesses with the owners of vacant commercial properties.
· Provide funds these businesses can use to facilitate their transition into vacant properties.
![722 W. 69th Street 722 W. 69th Street](https://www.smallbusinessadvocacycouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/1994/bb-plugin/cache/722-W.-69th-Street-e9e9353c-7dc0-48ef-9dbc-07b81fbf6b39-circle.jpg)
If you are a PROPERTY OWNER looking to lease your vacant property to an established entrepreneur, click above to learn more.
If you are an ENTREPRENEUR looking to open a brick-and-mortar store in one of the targeted communities, click above to learn more.
Click above to learn more about the COMMUNITIES involved in the WeRise Together Project.