Energy Efficiency & Conservation Small Business Loan Program
For a limited time, the Village of Arlington Heights is offering eligible small businesses a unique opportunity to learn about their building’s energy usage. The Village will provide matching grants to small businesses to conduct business energy audits performed that provide detailed information about energy efficiency modifications that may be made to lower energy usage and costs. The Village will reimburse the business up to $500 but not more than 50% of the audit costs for the first 10 companies to submit for the program. The energy audit will be used to assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed energy efficient improvements. The Village is also offering 0% interest, deferred loans up to $10,000 per business for making some of the energy efficiency improvements recommended for the property in the energy audit. The program is offered in the order applications are received while the limited funds last. For more information click here.
Resource Guide to the Development and Permit Process
The Village has created a booklet to provide a guide to businesses which need to obtain licenses, permits or zoning approvals from the Village of Arlington Heights. This guide, published by the Arlington Heights Department of Planning and Community Development and the Arlington Economic Alliance, is aimed at help businesses through the development review and permit/license process.
View the Resource Guide to the Development and Permit Process.
Business Assistance: Local Agencies
There are a number of local resources available to businesses interested in opening in Arlington Heights.
Business and Development Coordinator
The Business and Development Coordinator of the Village of Arlington Heights acts as an ambassador to the business community. The Business and Development Coordinator can be utilized as a resource for business retention, attraction and other business needs. Contact: John C. Melaniphy, 847.368.5212
Small Business Development Center
Through an agreement with the Village, the Illinois SBDC of Harper College operates a satellite office out of the Arlington Heights Planning Department (at the Village Hall) one day a week. The SBDC provides local businesses with management, marketing and financial counseling in order to help them succeed. They also offer confidential counseling sessions for assistance on such topics as: business start-up, financial resources, marketing strategies, and workshops specific to small businesses. The SBDC program is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Contact: Bonnie Richter, 847.925.6570.
Business Librarian at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library
The Business Librarian and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library is able to assist persons looking for guidance in researching numerous business topics. Contact: Richard Kong, 847.506-2674. For more information on business resources click on the following link http://www.ahml.info/research/business
Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
Association for referrals and networking opportunities. Contact: Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, 847.253.1703
Illinois workNet Center
The Illinois workNet Center is the most comprehensive employment, business services and support resource in Northern Cook County. For more information on the Illinois workNet Center in Arlington Heights contact Mohammed Faheem at 847 437-9425 or click on the web site at the following link www.worknetncc.com.
For more information on the Illinois WorkNet Center please click here.
For information regarding the Illinois WorkNet job seeker workshops at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library and the Illinois workNet Center in Arlington Heighs click here.
Robert Morris University - Arlington Heights
The College of Adult Continuing Studies of Robert Morris University is continuing its partnership with Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Prospect Heights, and Wheeling by offering an additional 40 program grants to residents (21 years or older) of these communities. Those interested should immediately contact Robert Morris University at 847-718-6700 as these grants are issued on a first come, first served basis.
Residents attending classes at the Arlington Heights Campus in this upcoming Fall start of September 2012, will receive the RMU grant, reducing the out-of-pocket cost to $5,000 per academic year…again, tuition is only $5,000 per academic year. The only requirement is to be a resident of these specified communities for at least one year. These new awards are in addition to those already being utilized by residents who began this bachelor’s degree program in September, 2011 and February, 2012. Students are scheduled to attend classes two evenings per week on site, then have the opportunity to select a third class from a variety of options such as online or through an internship.
Those interested in the Robert Morris University Business of Administration Bachelor’s Degree with a Management Concentration, should immediately call 847-718-6700 for information. The school is located at 2123 S. Goebbert Road, and for non residents, RMU is one of the most affordable private-not-for-profit universities in Illinois with one of the lowest tuition rates.
Robert Morris University Arlington Heights is a tremendous resource for area residents and businesses. For more information please contact Panorea Bakutis the Director of Admissions at the Arlington Heights Campus at 847 718-6700 or email pbakutis@robertmorris.edu.
For more information on Robert Morris University click here.
Business Assistance : State and Federal Agencies
When starting a business, there are numerous State and Federal agencies that may be necessary to contact. The State of Illinois operates a website - the “State of Illinois Business Portal” which offers guidance to the business community. The following page includes a small sampling of the agencies that should be contacted if you are interested in starting and/or operating a business in Arlington Heights. Also included is the 6 website to the State of Illinois Business Portal.
State of Illinois Business Portal
The State of Illinois has created a site that puts all business related information in one place. The Illinois Business Portal also has a search engine to help you find the forms you need. http://wwwa.business.illinois.gov/
The US Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA provides programs and services to help you plan your business, start your business, grow your business and succeed in business. The services provides by the SBA include grants, financial assistance, contracting opportunities, compliance assistance, counseling, disaster assistance, and on line training, among others.
US Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, SW
Washington, DC 20416
SBA Answer Desk: 1-800-U-ASK-SBA (800.827.5722)
Answer Desk TTY: 704.344.6640
answerdesk@sba.gov
www.sba.gov
Choosing a Business Name
If you conduct business in Illinois under an assumed or corporate name, file for a certificate with the County. Lists of current business names are available at:
Cook County Clerk’s Office
County Building
118 North Clark Street (Lower Level)
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.603.5656
www.cookctyclerk.com.
Incorporating Your Business
Decide (with the advice of an attorney) whether your business will be a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Partnership or Corporation. If you incorporate or establish a limited partnership, you must register with the State of Illinois at:
Secretary of State
69 W. Washington Street (12th Floor)
Chicago, Illinois 60602
312.793.3380
www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
Obtaining Your Federal Identification Number
Corporations and Partnerships require Federal Employer Identification Numbers (FEIN). A Sole Proprietorship may be able to use its Social Security Number. You can obtain your FEIN at Federal Taxpayer Service (IRS)
Federal Building
230 South Dearborn (17th Floor)
Chicago, Illinois 60601
800.829.4933
www.irs.gov
Obtaining Your State Sales Tax Number
If you will engage in a type of retail sales business, you must have a sales tax number (either an Illinois Business Tax number or a Retailer’s Occupational Tax number). You can obtain your sales tax number at:
Illinois Department of Revenue
100 West Randolph Street (Concourse Level)
Chicago, Illinois 60601
312.814.3190
www.revenue.state.il.us
General questions can be directed to
John C. Melaniphy, Business and Development Coordinator for the Village of Arlington Heights, 847.368.5212.
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