BRONZEVILLE — Small businesses and nonprofits on the South and West sides might be eligible for a new grant program.
Build Bronzeville is among four other community development corporations — including the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council and the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation — participating in Allstate’s Main Street Grant Program, which aims to help established businesses and nonprofits grow.
At least 10 companies and organizations will get grants of $5,000-$25,000. To be eligible, organizations must be able to illustrate how they’ve positively impacted their communities, from creating jobs to making products and services more accessible.
For Bronzeville, local leaders are looking for businesses that have been in operation at least a year with an annual revenue of $20,000 to $1 million. They must be a legal entity within the federal Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage area or have a confirmed commitment to operate in the area. A map can be found here.
Applications will be accepted through April 30, with grants to be awarded in June. Business owners or leaders who need help with the application process can register for one of the weekly Office Hour sessions offered by the Illinois Small Business Development Corporation. A recent recording of a virtual info session is available on YouTube.
Build Bronzeville has launched several initiatives to boost economic development in the South Side neighborhood, including Boxville — an open-air market of shipping containers a stone’s throw from Washington Park — The Bronzeville Incubator and Bronzeville Cookin’. The program is an offshoot of Urban Juncture, whose founder, Benard Loyd, is working to restore The Forum.
Loyd said Allstate, a longtime Build Bronzeville partner, approached the team with the idea nearly a year ago. The insurance giant understands the challenges small businesses face on the South and West sides, so joining the pilot program made sense, Loyd said.
“I think having access to some seed funding can be so critical for small enterprises, and our communities. In many cases, the entrepreneurs we work with have brilliant concepts but simply don’t have the access to capital to take the second step. These grants can help them get to the next level, whether it means buying equipment, expanding production or distribution,” Loyd said.
Loyd hopes to announce the Bronzeville grant recipients at Boxville when the market opens for the season on Juneteenth. Folks attending the event can expect to see exciting new changes, Loyd said, but he didn’t want to give too much away.
“We can’t announce them quite yet, but we’ve got a number of new partners and we’ll also be working to enhance the look and feel of Boxville. We have new signage coming and a new director coming on board, so we’re excited,” Loyd said.
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