Thursday, July 9, 2020   |   View in browser

Business News & Highlights

Aim & Ailie Hair Boutique

Finally time for that new hairdo? Aim & Ailie Hair Boutique has you covered! We recently spoke with owner Ailie about their reopening and how hard they are working to keep their customers and staff safe. They are still offering their high-end services in a relaxed environment, while not sacrificing any safety protocols. Services are appointment only and can be made online or by email or phone. 

"CBS This Morning" features Main Street on National Broadcast

Local Evanston businesses Guitar Works Ltd, D21Fit Studio, and La Principal were recently highlighted for their resilience in a "CBS This Morning" video about the impact of COVID-19 on small communities. Please continue to support these and all our small businesses as they work hard to weather these challenging and uncertain times.

Central Street Sidewalk Sale July 7-11

Enjoy deals at your favorite stores during the Central Street Business Association's Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale taking place July 7-11. This year, they are taking extra precautions to ensure everyone's safety, including extra shopping days, bigger spacing between tables and racks, and frequent cleaning and disinfecting. 

Summer Sidewalk Sale July 22-26

Get ready for a weekend of the best summer shopping deals! From July 22-26, support local businesses while safely shopping outside. Extra safety precautions will be in place, including a mask requirement inside all businesses. Find participating businesses in the Main-Dempster Mile and Downtown Evanston.

Applications for the 2020 Entrepreneurship Support Program Now Closed

Due to high demand, funding is no longer available for the 2020 Entrepreneurship Support Program and applications for this program are currently closed.

Sidewalk Use for Retail Stores

The City of Evanston has temporarily waived the right of way (ROW) permit requirement and fee for retail stores to use the sidewalk space outside their store to display inventory. Businesses must maintain a six-foot public right-of-way to accommodate pedestrians and meet ADA guidelines and submit insurance requirements and indemnification.

Please direct all questions and requests to Economic Development Specialist Katie Boden at kboden@cityofevanston.org.

Business Resources

 Kellogg Program Provides Consulting Support

Through their small business advisory initiative, the Kellogg School of Management has helped local businesses thrive during COVID-19 by offering free strategic consulting support in marketing, financial planning, and human resources. 

Evanston business owners can set up a profile on StartupTree to browse the Kellogg network of volunteers across functions and industries and schedule meetings to discuss their business challenges. Learn more about the program and sign up here. 

PPP Extended Through August 8

The Paycheck Protection Program has resumed accepting applications through August 8. The SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses. Read more about PPP loan forgiveness.

How To Apply

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. View a list of lenders participating in the Paycheck Protection Program by state.

Loans for Businesses Damaged by Civil Unrest

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the state’s request for federal assistance to help businesses in the northern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.

Business Physical Disaster Loans
Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc. are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the civil unrest. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Businesses can access additional information here and apply for loans online here.

Youth Month for Financial Wellness Webinars

First Northern Credit Union hosts free weekly Financial Wellness webinars each month, and July is focused on youth financial awareness.  All webinars are held on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Register through links below.

July 15 - Eight Steps to Financial Success

July 22 - Start Being Money Smart

July 29 - Credit Matters

August 5 - Paying For College

For more information and to see previously recorded webinars, please visit fncu.org/evanston. Additional financial resources are also available at https://evanston.balancepro.org/.