Business Advising

GSDC works to create, attract, retain, and expand commercial and manufacturing businesses on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
We are uniquely positioned to help our community through a variety of development services that include access to capital, business and marketing plan assistance, international trade, procurement, certifications, and licensing. 

Annually, we assist more than 2,000 businesses in accessing financing, technological solutions, marketing, and government aid and services.

During the COVID-19 crisis we assisted local businesses apply for and receive nearly $5M in emergency response loans and grants. 

Additionally, we manage over $2M in Special Service Area funds for two different SSAs in our area. 

GSDC strives to assist all businesses regardless of industry, revenue or size. From one-to-one consultations, to quality referrals, to webinars or workshops, GSDC is well equipped to assist you.

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As a long-standing partner to the City of Chicago, GSDC supports businesses by connecting them to City services including:

  • Connecting businesses to local elected officials
  • Aligning businesses with various city departments
  • Assisting with applications for City of Chicago small business loans and grants
  • Providing information on updated ordinances, workshops, and other information of interest 

Providing businesses access to:

  • Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – currently provides information, confidential business guidance, training and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses.
  • City of Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Center (NBDC)- business development assistance, which includes but is not limited to helping business owners and entrepreneurs apply for business license(s) and public way use permit(s), helping navigate City government, developing a business plan, marketing assistance, product/service/workforce development, access to training and resources
  • Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center-  a portal for small businesses looking to enter the world of government contracting. The center provides one-on-one counseling, technical information, marketing assistance, and training to existing businesses interested in selling their goods and services to local, state, and/or federal government agencies.
  • Chicago Business Centers (CBCs)- will provide local business resources to communities around Chicago, with a focus on entrepreneurs of historically underserved populations. RBCs will walk entrepreneurs through key licensing processes and online applications or prepare them to engage with Chicago’s Small Business Center for in-depth licenses.
Illinois Chapter of SBDC