Thursday, June 2, 2023 | View in browser
The Economic Development Division compiled our Monthly Progress Report to provide a snapshot that provides business news and initiatives, economic indicators, and relevant resources.
Top Stories
Mayor’s State of the City Address 2023
On May 23, Mayor Biss delivered his 2023 State of the City address at Evanston SPACE. He provided an overview of the significant progress the City has made over the past year, including strengthening its partnership with Northwestern University, City leadership changes, and key policy initiatives. He highlighted the City’s environmental efforts to further its Climate Action and Resilience Plan goals, economic recovery plans, and the City’s continued efforts to ensure a safe and collaborative environment for all.
In case you missed it, the recorded speech is available to watch on the City's YouTube and Channel 16. The City's digital 2022 Annual Report is available at cityofevanston.org/annualreport.
Key Data
Unemployment rate (April): 2.7 percent
New businesses openings (May): 5 in 2023 compared to 6 in 2022
Downtown Vacancy rates: Office, 11.36 percent. Retail, 12.64 percent
Sales Tax collected (April): $1,620,507.66
Recent commercial property transactions: One commercial sale in April totaling $769,000
Putting the Numbers into Context
Evanston's unemployment rate and vacancy rates continued to decrease to pre pandemic levels. Economic Development staff continue to monitor office vacancies as the return to office is occuring at a slow pace, and its impact on upcoming lease renewals is potentially concerning.
Welcome our New Businesses!
Founded in 2002, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is an independent, global, nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in stem cell science and applications to human health. Their vision is a world where stem cell science is encouraged, ethics are prioritized, and discovery improves understanding and advances human health.
New Businesses 2023
- Jah's Candy World - Mobile
- International Society for Stem Cell Research - 630 Davis St
- Integral Alternative Medicine PLLC - 1609 Sherman Ave
- Julia Nash Photography North - Home-based
- Pocket Change Consulting - Home-based
Vivian Killebrew, Stepping Out on Faith
Meet business owner and Evanston resident, Vivian Killebrew! She has owned and operated her store, Stepping Out on Faith, at 1632 Orrington Ave for 15 years! Stepping out on Faith is a neighborhood store offering secondhand clothing, shoes and accessories for men and women.
Vivian leveraged her experience working at Marshall Fields and other retailers to “step out on faith” and open her own shop, and hasn’t looked back since. She has spent the past decade and a half building relationships with her customers and giving back to the community whenever she can. She partners with local organizations like Connections for the Homeless, helping countless women find clothes for job interviews and other occasions.
She sets herself apart by building a repeat customer base and being very particular about the items she takes in. Make sure to stop by, say hello, and check out the wide variety of inventory. With so many options, there’s no doubt you can find the perfect outfit for every occasion!
City Initiatives
 The Evanston Thrives Plan adopted by City Council!
The City Council adopted Evanston Thrives Retail Action Plan on May 8, along with a $3 million allocation from the City’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for implementation. Thousands of voices were heard throughout the Thrives process—from residents to business owners to business district representatives to City staff and elected officials. The resulting Plan outlines key actions to help support our community's business districts, through business supports, tenant attraction, placemaking, events, and marketing initiatives. The Economic Development Committee will be prioritizing the implementation actions at the June 28, 2023 committee meeting. We can’t wait to get to work!
Sustain Evanston Grant Program Applications Open!
In honor of Earth Day, the City launched its reimagined Sustain Evanston Business Incentive Program on Saturday, April 22. The program provides a funding tool to assist small business and commercial property owners in implementing sustainability measures that align with the goals of the City's Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP).
Grants of up to $25,000 will support sustainability-related projects, including, but not limited to waste management, energy, water, and green infrastructure. Applications will be open through August 31. Apply today!
 Belgian Chocolatier Piron - One of Evanston’s Legacy Businesses
Legacy Business Program
The City of Evanston’s new Legacy Business Alliance program is designed to celebrate, advocate for, and retain Evanston’s living heritage as embodied through the legendary businesses which contribute significantly to the City’s historic, cultural, economic, or social identity.
Meet one of our Legacy Business owners Bob Piron of Belgian Chocolatier Piron, located at 509 Main St. Watch our video interview to learn more about him and the business- then stop by for some amazing hand made chocolates!
Next steps? The Legacy Business Working Group is working with Evanston-based brand studio, Glantz, to help develop a unique, customized logo and website for the program. Evanston has hundreds of legacy businesses. The working group has selected 32 to pilot this important new program. The pilot list is available on the Legacy Business Program website. Watch for profiles and video interviews featured on the new website and in our newsletters. Stay tuned!
City Council
Keep informed of new City policies and regulations passed by City Council.
Items Approved on May 22, 2023
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Fair Work Week Ordinance - The ordinance covers restaurants and food service businesses with at least 200 employees and 30 locations globally. It also applies to all other types of businesses with 15 or more employees, excluding health care, child care industries and nursing homes. Employers will be required to give workers a two-week notice of schedule changes and compensate them if any changes occur after, put a minimum of 11 hours between shifts and to compensate workers if they work during those 11 hours, and offer shifts to part-time workers before establishing new part-time positions.
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Retail Single Use Bag Tax and Plastic Bag Ban - Effective August 1, 2023, this ordinance will prohibit the use of single-use point-of-sale plastic bags as well as pre-checkout (produce) plastic bags. Paper point-of-sale bags must be made of at least forty percent (40%) postconsumer recycled material. Additionally, retailers over 10,000 square feet will be charged $0.10 per bag, with the exception of bags containing prescription drugs, newspaper bags, pre-checkout (produce) bags. SNAP recipients, restaurants, non-chain store organizations, and retailers under 10,000 square feet are all exempt.
Additionally, retailers over 10,000 square feet will be charged $0.10 per bag, with the exception of bags containing prescription drugs, newspaper bags, pre-checkout (produce) bags. SNAP recipients, restaurants, non-chain store organizations, and retailers under 10,000 square feet are all exempt.
Economic Development Committee
In case you missed it, here’s what happened at the May 24, 2023, Economic Development Committee:
Items Approved
There were not items for consideration.
Items Discussed
- Community members presented their findings regarding the economic impacts of the proposed Horizon Legacy development (1621-31 Chicago Ave). This item was placed on the agenda, at the community members’ request, after consultation with Committee Chair Burns. The Economic Development Committee is the only venue to have a focused discussion on economic impacts of a development proposal, and the intent of this discussion was to provide additional input. Other bodies will fulfill their responsibilities of weighing in on issues of land use, zoning, and building design.
- The Committee members discussed a referral from Council Member Reid to increase the minimum wage for “large employers” to $16 to align wages with Chicago. The committee agreed that the best first step would be to hear feedback from the business community, and requested staff to schedule a minimum of two meetings with businesses, along with a survey, to better understand the impact of this change.
- The Committee members discussed the scoring mechanism for the Evanston Thrives recommendations to determine funding/implementation priorities. This input will guide the Economic Development Division’s goals and priorities over the next couple of years. The committee will discuss the scoring results at their next meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2023.
Watch the Economic Development Committee Videos - Video 1 and Video 2.
Coming up
The next Economic Development Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at 6 p.m. The meeting agenda will be posted on the web page 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Contact Us
Got questions? We want to hear from you! The Economic Development Division is available to connect with you to discuss new businesses, grants and other resources to help you expand your business, business district activities, community outreach events, and any new ideas you may have to improve Evanston’s business environment.
Visit our website to learn more about business support grants and programs and to register your business.
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