City of Highland Park Office of Business Development
The City of Highland Park is committed to assisting entrepreneurs and established business owners interested in opening a business in Highland Park. To help business owners or their brokers find an available commercial location and to assist them through the regulatory and permit process, as well as to eliminate costly delays during the new business start-up period, the Office of Business Development staff serves as the primary local government contact and resource for businesses. Business Development professional staff can also provide knowledge of the City's zoning regulations and Highland Park's existing business mix.
For more information or assistance with establishing your business in Highland Park, please contact the Office of Business Development at 847.926.1027.
City of Highland Park Business & Economic Development Advisory Group
The Business and Economic Development Advisory Group consists of twelve voting members: Residents with business expertise, one non-voting ex officio member of the City Council, and one representative of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Business & Economic Development Advisory Group (BEDAG) promotes and fosters business and development in the City of Highland Park in an advisory capacity to the City Council. BEDAG prepares and recommends development programs designed to achieve the City’s Master Plan goals in the community’s commercial, industrial, residential and office zoning districts.
For more information, please contact Carolyn Hersch, staff liaison to the Business and Economic Development Advisory Group, at 847.926.1027 or by email.
Highland Park Chamber of Commerce
“Our purpose is to help all member businesses prosper by providing programs and services designed to encourage business development and promotion, networking, education/training and advocacy.” - Chamber
The Highland Park Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit business association whose membership includes businesses, service organizations and individuals. Their mission is to promote, support and assist the local business community through effective communication, ongoing education, and quality programs and services. They serve as the "Voice of Business" at the federal, state and local levels of government. For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 847.432.0284 or via email at info@chamberhp.com.
Downtown Highland Park Alliance
The Downtown Highland Park Alliance (“Alliance”) is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the Highland Park, Illinois Central Business District. Embracing collaboration with businesses, property owners and the City of Highland Park, the Alliance encourages local spending, investment, tourism, and a sense of community through the promotion of the Central Business District. To contact the Alliance visit downtownhp.com or call 847.436.3117.
Briergate Business Association District
“The mission of BBAD is to continuously improve the desirability and economic vitality of the Briergate Business District.”
- Association Bylaws
Illinois Small Business Development Center
The College of Lake County's Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assists in assessing the viability of and developing business ventures within the Lake County. Our services include:
- Access to our small business resource library
- Assistance in developing business plans
- Interactive workshops
- One-on-one consulting by noted experts
- Referrals to small business service providers
- Support in securing loans
For more information, please call the College of Lake County Small Business Development Center at 847.543.2033.
SCORE - Counselors to America’s Small Businesses
Counselors to America's Small Business (SCORE) is a non-profit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small businesses in the U.S. SCORE provides free business counseling, workshops, and low cost management consulting. They also provide templates for business plans, advice on how to develop a business plan and obtain a business loan. SCORE counselors can help the entrepreneur start a business or a small business owner grow their business and prosper.
SCORE's Highland Park Team is ready to work with clients! Although SCORE is not meeting clients in person due to COVID-19 cautions, virtual sessions are available (video, phone, or email correspondence).
Accion
Accion is the largest nationwide nonprofit lending network in the United States. They provide fair and flexible loans, connections to business experts, and access to resources and opportunities specifically tailored to each business owner’s unique needs and goals. Who they lend to: Women Owned Businesses; Start Ups; Restaurant & Food Industry, and more. For more information, please call (312) 275-3000 or visit their website at us.accion.org/about-us/.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO)
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's mission is to provide economic opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and residents that improve the quality of life for all Illinoisans. The IDCEO is focused on improving transparency and accountability, enhancing customer service, increasing Illinois’ competitiveness, advancing minority empowerment, modernizing Illinois’ workforce, and elevating our state’s promotional efforts.
The Illinois Department of Commerce delivers impactful and efficient programs and services through the following offices. Click below to learn more:
- Office of Business Development
- Office of Employment & Training
- Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology
- Office of Minority Economic Empowerment
- Office of Tourism
- Office of Trade & Investment
- Office of Urban Assistance
Additional Resources for Starting a Small Business
- Guidelines and Information for Starting a Business (Small Business Administration)
- Information on Starting a Business in Illinois
- Guidelines and Resources for Entrepreneurs
- Basic Federal Tax Information for People Starting a Business
Green Funding Opportunities
Governments across Illinois are adopting a green way of thinking and operating. The Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council helps state agencies, units of local government, and educational institutions improve the sustainability of their operations and policies. A list of green funding opportunities has been compiled and is available on the State of Illinois website.
Energy Efficiency Incentives and Grants
All Illinois public facilities located within Ameren Illinois and ComEd electrical service areas or Illinois, Nicor, North Shore or Peoples natural gas areas are eligible for Energy Efficiency Incentives and Grants.
Hello Alice Small Business Grant Program
Apply for $25,000 - $500,000 for your small business. In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, Hello Alice is a free online platform that helps businesses launch and grow through every step of their entrepreneurial journey. The Small Business Growth Fund provides small business owners with knowledge, funding, networking opportunities, and peer-to-peer connections with more than one million small business owners. To be eligible, applicants must be a for-profit business with less than $1 million in 2022 gross annual revenue and reside in one of the 50 United States,
Puerto Rico, or the District of Columbia. Link to Apply.