Friday, August 11, 2023 | View in browser
 Last Days of Summer Block Party & Concert
As summer fun continues to keep us all entertained, come out to the Summer Concert Series. Everyone is invited to the Main Dempster Mile on August 18 at 5:30 P.M. to enjoy music, kid activities, fun and summer!
 Art and Big Fork Festival
Downtown Evanston invites you all down to the Big Fork Festival! The festival returns August 18-20. Come enjoy live music on three stages, great food, drinks, and tasty treats from local restaurants, a variety of kids’ activities and over 130 Juried Artists! Learn more about the event!
 2023 Source Grant Application closes August 25
The Cook County Small Business Source announced the launch of The 2023 Source Grant, which provides $40 million in grants to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity. The application period ends on August 25! Visit the Source Grant website for more information.
Businesses in the News
 Great Places to Dine in Evanston
The City has several highly rated restaurants offering nearly every type of cuisine. The variety ranges from fast casual to fine dining. See the list of this critic's top choices for places to dine in Evanston. Read more!
Upcoming Local Events
 Enjoy movie magic and musical vibes
Experience a movie under the stars: Join us at Baker Park on Sat., Aug. 12 for the next Starlight Movie in the Park, featuring Coco. The film starts at 7 p.m. Don't forget your lawn chairs, blankets, and favorite snacks!
Sound of the season: Catch the Sheryl Youngblood Band live on Tues., Aug. 15, 7 p.m., at Bent Park's Soccer Fields. Get ready to groove to the sounds of blues and R&B at the next Starlight Concert in the Park.
City Initiatives
 Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance in Effect
In an effort to reduce plastic waste and encourage behavioral change throughout the city, the Evanston City Council voted on May 22 to approve a complete ban on plastic bags in all city businesses and impose a $0.10 tax on remaining bag types at large retail stores. The “Retail Single Use Bag Tax”, also known as Ordinance 1-O-23, went into effect on August 1, 2023.
For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/plasticbagban or please call 847-448-4311.
 Sustain Evanston Applications end August 31!
In honor of Earth Day, the City launched its reimagined Sustain Evanston Business Incentive Program on Sat., 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!
 Submit your Events for our Economic Development Newsletter!
Are you a registered Evanston based business with an upcoming event? We'd like to help you promote it! We can add your event to our weekly newsletter. See the eligibility requirements for events below:
- Your business must be located in Evanston and registered. If you're not registered, complete your business registration application
- Submission must be an event. We don't promote sales or individual business advertisement
- Submission must include a flyer and website where interested residents can get more information
Send your submission to economicdevelopment@cityofevanston.org with "For Newsletter" in the subject and we will reach out if we have any questions about your event.
Do business with the City of Evanston
Interested in doing business with the City of Evanston? Visit our bids and proposals page to see current Bids, Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
Contact the project Purchasing Specialist via email with questions pertaining to the project of interest. Specialist email contact information can be found in the Bid "Questions" or RFP/Q "Questions Regarding RFP/Q" section of the related document; or contact purchasing@cityofevanston.org.
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