Chicago Business Center (CBC) Program
The Chicago Business Centers (CBC) Program is a City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) initiative to fill the current gap in local business resources and minimize barriers for entrepreneurs and business owners of disadvantaged communities to properly launch, sustain, and/or expand their small businesses. CBCs provide detailed business licensing and public way use permitting application support, diverse funding opportunities, and specialized professional services. Find your nearest CBC below.
CBC SERVICES
CBC representatives provide one-on-one, confidential, no-cost consultations to start-up entrepreneurs, and existing business owners, who need the following types of assistance:
- Business License, Public Way Use Permit, and City Resources | City of Chicago business license and public way use permit online applications through Chicago Business Direct; Prepare and connect applicants to meet with a BACP Business Consultant at the Small Business Center (if necessary); Provide guidance on City business support services and navigating processes.
- Business Funding for Underrepresented Populations | Business funding (debt and/or non-debt) opportunities especially to those who have historically lacked access to banks and capital networks; Provide information on business funding resources; Connect clients to qualified referral partners.
- Professional Services and Sector-Specific Guidance | Business education options for professional development; Provide specialized, sector-specific, business resources; Refer to qualified business education providers.
CBC LOCATIONS
CBCs are located in the facilities of, and administered by, eight (8) BACP delegate agencies (i.e., grant-funded business service organizations) to serve as regional hubs providing business support services in historically underserved areas of the city. Please contact a CBC below to learn more about their respective free business consultations and services available.
Delegate Agency:
Allies for Community Business
135 N. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
a4cb.org/licensing
Contact Information:
Letty Segura
info@a4cb.org
312.924.2172
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Access to Business Capital, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Austin African American Business Network Association
5820 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago IL 60651
www.aaabna.org
Contact Information:
Eric Strickland
info@aaabna.org
773.626.4497
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Sector-Specific Guidance, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Calumet Area Industrial Commission
1000 E. 111th St, Chicago, IL 60628
www.calumetareaindustrial.com
Contact Information:
Tracy Murray
Tracy@calumetareaindustrial.com
773.928.6000
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Industry Resources, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Greater Southwest Development Corporation
2601 W. 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60629
www.greatersouthwest.org
Contact Information:
Betty Romo
b.romo@greatersouthwest.org
773.922.6414
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Marketing Assistance, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
North River Commission
3403 W. Lawrence Ave, Suite 201, Chicago IL 60625
www.northrivercommission.org
Contact Information:
Marisabel Pozo
marisabel@northrivercommission.org
312.860.9294
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Community Networking, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Puerto Rican Cultural Center
2546 W. Division St, Chicago, IL 60641
www.prcc-chgo.org
Contact Information:
Honorio Torres
rbc@prcc-chgo.org
773.394.4935
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Professional Development, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Quad Communities Development Corporation
4210 S. Berkeley Ave, Chicago IL 60653
www.qcdc.org
Contact Information:
Rhonda McFarland
contactus@qcdc.org
773.268.7232
Hours of Operations: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Coaching, +more (see website)
Delegate Agency:
Uptown United
4619 N. Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640
exploreuptown.org
Contact Information:
Sarah Wilson
ubc@exploreuptown.org
773.878.1064
Hours of Operations: Monday to Friday, 9AM - 5PM
Services: Business Licensing, Public Way Use Permitting, Access to Business Capital, Business Location Assistance, Coaching, +more (see website)