ILLINOIS ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT CENTER
Building stronger entrepreneurs and small businesses.
A proposed Harvey-based Economic Empowerment Center focused on underserved entrepreneurs and very small businesses.
Services
- One-on-one business advising
- Business concept and feasibility development
- Market analysis and customer discovery
- Business planning and financial management
- Financial literacy and capital readiness
- Marketing, sales, and digital business education
- Licensing and resource navigation
- Procurement and growth strategy
- Partner and community referrals
- Graduate technical assistance and follow-up
Planned training sequence
Entrepreneur Orientation & ScreeningJune 2026 – May 2028
Business Concept & FeasibilityJune 2026 – May 2028
Market Analysis & Customer DiscoveryJuly 2026 – May 2028
Business Planning & Financial ManagementJuly 2026 – May 2028
Capital & Credit ReadinessAugust 2026 – May 2028
Marketing, Sales & Digital BusinessSeptember 2026 – May 2028
Procurement & Growth StrategyJanuary 2027 – May 2028
How success will be measured
Planned measures include participant intake, advising sessions, workshops, business plans, businesses launched, businesses stabilized or expanded, financing applications and financing obtained, referrals, jobs created or retained, and participant satisfaction.