Dear IHCC Community,
I am thrilled to share some exciting news with you! The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) has partnered with The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Northeast Illinois. This no-cost service is part of the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program and aims to support access to business assistance programs to improve financial equity.
Through this partnership, business professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs can tap into the expertise of a Professional Business Advisor from the SBA to receive guidance on various areas such as business plan development, capital access, financial analysis and planning, market expansion, marketing analysis, business education and training, strategic planning, business licensing, and business incorporation.
To boost this effort, five credit unions: Northwest Community, Numark, Earthmover, Abri, and Kane County Teachers, along with ICUL, will be investing $100,000 in cash and in-kind contributions, which IHCC will match.
I am incredibly excited about this powerful partnership and the significant expansion of resources to community members and entrepreneurs throughout Illinois. Our unwavering commitment at IHCC is to ensure access to no-cost business technical assistance is available in every community in our region. This partnership with ICUL and its members will be a game-changer in achieving that goal.
“Our partnership with ICUL and local credit unions is a bold step towards ensuring that Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs in Illinois have the resources they need to succeed. We are committed to expanding access to no-cost business technical assistance and driving prosperity in our communities.”
The Illinois Credit Union League is the primary trade association for over 200 state and federal credit unions in Illinois, focusing on legislative and regulatory advocacy, compliance assistance, and information. It also provides educational and training services to credit unions and their approximately 3.4 million members.
Together we will continue to prioritize and amplify our support to Latino small business owners and entrepreneurs; while also extending our assistance to all members of the credit unions who aspire to start or grow their businesses. Together, we will make a meaningful impact and drive positive change in our communities.
Sincerely,
Jaime di Paulo, IHCC President and CEO