SPUTNIK COFFEE: BREWING UP SOMETHING GOOD
According to a 2015 groundbreaking study conducted by Technomic for the National Coffee Association, 76% of American adults drank coffee either at home or at one of the one million foodservice venues in the United States. The study revealed that the coffee industry has a $225.2 billion economic impact in the U.S., generated $28 billion […]
Read MoreSENATOR DICK DURBIN – ADVOCATE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Senator Dick Durbin has served in government since 1983 and in the U.S. Senate since 1997. He is currently the Democratic Whip, which is the second highest office in the U.S. Senate. Issues of equity and fairness for all Americans have always been the focus of his public service. The largest city in Senator Durbin’s […]
Read MoreEM BRANCH & ASSOCIATES, INC.: HELPING OTHERS TO COPE
Throughout our lives, we all are faced with challenges, some mental, some physical and some emotional. In fact, roughly 26% of adult Americans suffer from some form of diagnosable mental disorder each year. Understanding how common mental disorders are is important so that we can measure and understand their impact (i.e., physical, financial and social) […]
Read MoreRIMLAND GRAND OPENING: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD OF AUTISM
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as “a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain.” This disorder can begin to show symptoms within the first 12 months of life. Some children may progress and develop new skills and reach developmental milestones at or about 18 – 24 […]
Read MoreNORTH AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER RIBBON CUTTING
Chicago is a city of 77 neighborhoods. As in most large cities, some neighborhoods are more economically stable than others. In order to combat the decline in some communities, Mayor Lori Lightfoot created Invest South/West to re-activate neighborhood cores. One of the neighborhoods in this community improvement initiative is Austin on the city’s West Side. […]
Read MoreTULSA TOUR OF CHICAGO’S CDFI COMMUNITY
On an exceptionally warm day in November, CCLF hosted a group of engaged Tulsa, Oklahoma residents interested in creating a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) on a tour of community development projects financed by Chicago’s CDFI community. Chicago CDFI leaders hosting the group included Calvin Holmes, President, CCLF; Vickie Lakes-Battle, Executive Director – Chicago Metro […]
Read MoreCCLF AND THE RVP CONFERNCE 2022 BUS/BIKE TOUR
Since 2007, the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference (RVP) has brought people together from around the country to discuss the latest in community development, whether they are from urban, suburban or rural communities. This year, Chicago played host to this well-regarded event and displayed its accomplishments to attendees. The 3-day event featured prominent keynote speakers such […]
Read MoreHOLLYWOOD OF THE MIDWEST
In recent years, the television and film industry has selected Chicago for major productions like Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, The Chi, Power Book IV: The Force, Empire, Fargo, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and many more. According to the Chicago Film Office, 1,100 feature films and television productions have been filmed in […]
Read MoreGrant Place Retail Center is a Major Hub in North Chicago, IL
In 2003, Chicago Community Loan Fund provided a $409,000 predevelopment loan to Five Points Economic Development Corporation, a quasi-independent city agency coordinating the development of Grant Place Retail Center in North Chicago, IL. In 2005, the project broke ground on vacant land to create 19,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail development located on a 2.5 acre-site […]
Read MorePullman Culver’s Welcomes Crowds to Ribbon-cutting
The long-awaited Pullman Culver’s held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony November 8 with much celebration. Ba-Ron Chicago Burgers LLC/Bar-Pull LLC principals Baron Waller and Ronald Wells welcomed U.S. Representative Robin Kelly, Illinois State Representative Nicholas Smith (34th District), 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, Rick Silva, Culver’s CEO, Kevin Goldsmith, CCLF Board Member and Program […]
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