Category — Finished Projects

OPDC Adds SCORE Small Business Counseling

The Oak Park Development Corporation is pleased to announce it is teaming up with the Senior Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) to offer free small business counseling/mentoring to existing area businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs beginning Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Initially, sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of every month in the OPDC offices at 104 N. Oak Park Ave., Suite 203.

Counseling is provided by business professionals from SCORE, a nonprofit association and resource partner of the Small Business Administration. The private, hour-long counseling sessions are by appointment only. Appointments can be made online at www.scorechicago.org or by phone at 312/353-7724. Contact OPDC at 708/383-3838 for scheduling assistance.

“We are pleased to offer SCORE counseling services to the community,” said Sara Faust, president of OPDC. “It is a valuable way for OPDC to increase its capacity in the ways in which we assist businesses. SCORE counselors have run their own successful businesses through good times and bad. They know what it takes to be successful and they can help clients every step of the way.”

SCORE is a growing presence in theChicagoarea with 30 branch offices staffed by more than 100 counselors. Services include:

Free counseling/mentoring for start-ups, existing small businesses and nascent entrepreneurs. Counseling is always free, and multiple counseling sessions are encouraged.
Low cost workshops—most held at SCORE headquarters at 500 West Madison St., Chicago. SCORE’s Business Workshop Certificate program, a series of six workshops, can provide the basic tools for starting a successful business. They also offer special interest workshops on topics such as website design and marketing, social network marketing, import/export and many more highly focused topics.
Consulting services for qualified businesses.

The Oak Park Development Corporation is a not-for-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for economic development in the Village of Oak Park. Information about it services and programs are available online at www.opdc.net.

January 24, 2012 No Comments

2012 Commercial Property Rehabilitation & Preservation Program (CPRPP) Grants, commonly known as “the façade grant program”

Oak Park Development Corporation continues to partner with the Village of Oak Park (VOP) to

offer grants to those contemplating changes to exterior facades of local commercial buildings.

CPRPP grants are available for façade improvement, storefront replacement, awnings and/or

signs for projects begun and finished in 2012. Either tenants or building owners are eligible

applicants. Written preapproval from the grant review committee, before starting or contracting

your project, is required. Normal building repair or maintenance is ineligible. 2011 grant projects

received grants of 25-50% of eligible expenses, with a grant cap per project.

Program budget, guidelines, and project eligibility for 2012 have not yet been determined.

Since all grant projects must be completed in the year in which they are begun, we are no

longer accepting 2011 grant applications at this time.

General information about the grant program and the two-part application—1) Program

Guidelines and 2) Application/Performance Agreement–is available on our website:

www.opdc.net. (Click on “financial assistance programs.”) Please note that this information

reflects 2011 requirements and guidelines which have not yet been updated for 2012.

The Oak Park Village Board is expected to finalize 2012 budget decisions during the month

of December, 2011. After an approved budget, OPDC receives contract approval during first

quarter, 2012.

Providing us with your contact info will allow us to stay in touch with you about availability

and application deadlines for 2012 funds. Grant funds are committed on a first come-first served

basis, after our review of your completed grant application. We cannot accept 2012 grant

applications until a signed contract with the Village of Oak Park is in place.

We encourage you both to call to discuss your prospective project and to consider applying.

Please let others in the Oak Park community know about this grant program. Our website,

www.opdc.net has more information on OPDC’s programs and services and other financial

assistance available to local businesses.

Thank you for your investment in Oak Park. I look forward to working together with you on your

grant project.

Michelle J. Uhler

Grant Administrator

Oak Park Development Corporation

104 N. Oak Park Ave.

Oak Park, IL 60301

708/383-3838

December 6, 2011 No Comments

Latest Success Stories

Marion Street Cheese Market moved from its original location and expanded in October, 100 S. Marion, 725-7200; the finest in wine, cheese, farm fresh ingredients and microbrews; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Eastgate Cafe/Gifts & Books 102 Harrison, 660-9091; open for all dining needs, whether early morning coffee or breakfast, lunch or light dinner, including beer or wine. OPDC’s grant covered improvements to the building facade.