The MPBHBA manages two Special Service Areas (SSAs) and is a Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC) in Beverly/Morgan Park. In those roles, we attended two citywide events this month and brought home fresh perspectives to share with our business community.
At the annual SSA Forum presented by the Chicago Department of Planning and Development:
- SSA #33 Wicker Park/Bucktown shared the success of their rat birth control program underway for almost a year.
- SSA #81 Auburn Gresham described their unique SSA structure that includes residential properties along with big box retailers, allowing for direct investment in residents’ property and safety.
- SSA #42 71st/Stony Island shared how Collective Investment Vehicles (CIVs) have helped bring a vibrant new business incubator to the neighborhood.
Attending the annual forum gave us insight on programming with service providers citywide and spurred fresh ideas for our own SSAs.
At an NBDC Roundtable, local business owners and city representatives discussed what it means to sustain legacy businesses; the evolving role of technology in small business operations; the importance of community engagement; and the resources available to businesses through the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Thanks to the following MPBHBA business owners for lending their voices and perspectives to the NBDC roundtable:
- Kendall Griffin of Afro Joe’s Coffee & Tea
- Brian Vargas of Beverly Bicycle Repair Shop
- Whitney Castle of Keir Foot & Ankle Specialists
- Vernon Lockhart of Art on the Loose
- Lori Parrett of Cakewalk Chicago