Business/Economic Development

ECDC is committed to the health and wealth of the local businesses that populate the Westside of Evanston. ECDC accomplishes this in a number of ways.

First, ECDC is working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Small Business Development Center to develop a technical support system to help expand existing minority businesses and to help develop new minority businesses, and is working with the City to develop a business friendly permitting and licensing site for small businesses.

Second, ECDC has been instrumental in setting up the Church Dodge Merchant Association. The Church Dodge Merchant Association unites the businesses of the Westside to bring them together to plan for beautification projects, to attract more customers to the area, access City resources, such as the Facade Improvement Program, and to support one another.

Third, ECDC has established a partnership with the Kellogg School of Business. In 2007, ECDC was one of the organizations selected to participate in the Neighborhood Business Initiative. This enabled ECDC to partner with Kellogg students to conduct a needs assessment of local businesses. This information will then be used to set up an ongoing relationship with Kellogg to provide direct technical support to local businesses in the areas that they need assistance.

Finally, ECDC sponsors a series of financial literacy classes to help local residents build their wealth. These classes, expected to begin in January, are designed to educate on issues such as budgeting, improving ones credit, and consumer awareness. These courses will be offered at no cost to participants.

• Supporting local businesses located on the Westside of Evanston
  
• Supporting minority-owned businesses
  
• Survey of local Westside businesses
  
• Developing long term relationship with Kellogg School of Business to provide direct service support to local businesses
  
• Offers financial literacy courses
  
• Convenes and supports the Church Dodge Merchant Association