About

Far South CDC Business Services Department serves the Cook County region specifically Chicago\’s Far South Side and south suburban Cook County. The center is located on Chicago\’s south side at 837 W 115th Street. Our Business Services Department including the following programs for Entrepreneurs:

Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center:

• Customized computerized bid opportunity matching (over 1600 databases nationwide)
• One-on-One Counseling
• Introduction to Government Contracting
• Determine Suitability for Contracting
• Marketing & Market Research
• Response to RFPs/Proposal Writing
• Doing Business with DLA (DoD)
• Rules & Regulations (FAR)
• Teaming Arrangements, Joint Ventures, Mentor/Protégé, & Sub-contracting opportunities
• Local Certifications: MBE, WBE, DBE, VBE
• Small Business Certifications: 8a, HUB Zone, WOSB, SDVOSB
• Vendor Registrations: System for Award Management (SAM)

Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC) program provides grants to Chicago-based nonprofit chambers of commerce and business support organizations to assist in the development of small businesses in Chicago, serve as liaison between local businesses and the City of Chicago, and provide neighborhood business development services.

Services Offered: 

• Information about a particular neighborhood
• Getting a new small business started
• Troubleshooting City-related issues for small businesses
• Connecting businesses to financial resources
• Business-to-business networking opportunities
• Employment and workforce development assistance
• Consumer marketing assistance
• Connecting your business to the local community 

Special Service Areas are local tax districts that fund additional services and programs for local businesses within the SSA Boundary. Funding is provided by SSA #45, The enhanced services and programs are in addition to those currently provided through the City.

The SSA#45 services offered:

• Security
• Facade Enhancement Grant
• Groundskeeping
• Marketing
• Debris Removal
• Small Business Advice