Berwyn Development Corporation: 2023 Q1 Report

2023 TIMELINE

JANUARY - MARCH

2023 Vendor Info Session – Berwyn Shops Event

Yorktown Center Field Trip – Berwyn Shops Event

Business Insurance

101

Cook County Panel Discussion – Berwyn Shops Event

Jury Committee Selected – Berwyn Shops Event

Cook County Small Business Source 2023 BSO Kickoff

City of Berwyn and BDC Board Strategic Planning Session

Capital Investment & Expanding Your Business

2022 Cohort Graduation – Berwyn Shops Event

Financial Management Cash Flow

Renewal of Finish Line Grant in Harlem, Roosevelt, and Depot TIF Districts

Publication of the BDC’s Annual Report

BDC Annual Meeting at Paisans Pizzeria & Bar

JAN

Business Finance Basics

El Jardin Tax Abatement Approved

BDC Assignment Agreement Completed on 2 Loans

Passion Project at Heritage Middle School

25-Year Anniversary Certificate Presentation to Dr Diane Garrison DDS FEB

Vendor Selection Day – Berwyn Shops Event

Publication of the Bi-Annual Berwyn Vacancy Report

15-Year Anniversary Certification Presentation to Gail Lovero from Gone Travl’n

Nonprofit Roundtable Breakfast meeting with Ana Granados speaking about #hireberwyn

Art Mural unveiling at W3Body – A Women’s Gym

Berwyn Internship for Small Businesses (BISB) Kick off meeting with Morton College

Women in Business meeting with Jazmin Sandoval from ATAX Tax Preparation and Business Services

Presentation of Finish Line Grant plaque to Joseph Linhart of Linhart Funeral Home

Development Recognition Award presented to Flapjack Brewery and Fitzgerald’s Nightclub & Sidebar

Launch of BDC Ambassador’s program

Business After Hours at Paisans Pizzeria and Bar

100-Year Anniversary Certificate Presentation to Kiwanis Club of Berwyn

MARCH

Women in Business meeting with Maura Mitchell from Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Membership Breakfast Meeting at the Berwyn Public Library with Libby Popovic from Popovic Law

Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Loyola Medicine ENT Clinic

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As the Executive Director of the Berwyn Development Corporation (BDC), I would like to welcome you to our 1st Quarter Report for 2023. Within this report you will find valuable information on how the BDC has contributed to economic development in the City of Berwyn.

2023 started off strong with the business community witnessing an incredible expansion of advising opportunities, networking events, and educational programming. Specifically, the BDC conducted over 415 one-on-one business advising calls, hosted more than 12 events, and facilitated 4 educational sessions. These sessions were tailored to Berwyn, covering topics such as business insurance, capital investment and expansion, financial management, and food safety certification.

Beyond advising, the BDC continued to connect business owners to much-needed financial resources. We did this via e-blasts, social media posts, corridor walks, and frequent updates to our website in both Spanish and English. Collectively, we provided information more than 2,100 times to existing Berwyn businesses and reached more than 21,958 people across all platforms. Some businesses were contacted multiple times, hence the large amount of retention information shared during Q1.

Thankfully, our efforts paid off. The BDC committed over $118,980 in Finish Line Grants to 12 renovation projects located in our 3 TIF districts – Roosevelt, Harlem/Cermak, and Depot District. We also helped more than 280 Berwyn businesses apply for state funding, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the Cook County Small Business Source for our application assistance. Finally, we responded to more than 35 inquiries about land, buildings, and zoning from prospective businesses. Together, the renovation projects and property inquiries demonstrate the community’s resiliency and continued trajectory for growth.

Despite this positive outlook, the BDC recognizes the business community’s ongoing need for financial support and tailored advising in 2023. As such, we will be launching two new homegrown projects designed to support local entrepreneurs and start-ups. We will also be conducting pulse check surveys with our commercial corridors, as well as collaborating with consultants to create a new economic development plan for the City of Berwyn. Our goal is to better understand the current strengths and opportunities of the community, especially considering the recent job market challenges.

Overall, we are proud of the Berwyn community and excited for what is to come. We look forward to expanding our programs, promoting all available resources, and getting to know the Berwyn community even more in 2023.

Sincerely,

David Hulseberg

Berwyn Shops: Turning Pop-Ups

into Storefronts

On January 27, 2023, community partners, frequent shoppers, friends, and family joined the BDC in celebrating the completion of the Berwyn Shops’ inaugural season. We are proud to share that 11 of the 12 business owners successfully graduated from the incubator program, demonstrating passion and dedication for their businesses.

Since graduation, the 2022 vendors have actively toured available spaces, popped-up at local businesses, and strengthened partnerships throughout the community. Furthermore, at least seven are pursuing leases and one has opened her own space on Roosevelt Rd! Thanks to the City of Berwyn, if they open their storefronts in one of Berwyn’s 3 TIF districts, they may be eligible for $10,000 grants! We are thankful for our partners and proud of our alumni!

With such an incredible first year, the Berwyn Shops are set to reopen for a 2nd season. Already in 2023, the BDC secured partnerships, hosted trainings, and facilitated informational sessions. In response, 39 entrepreneurs were interested in the program and 28 community members applied to be jurors. During Q1, both the 13 jurors and 12 new vendors were selected.

In fact, the 2023 season will launch on May 5th at 10am with 12 NEW small businesses, with products ranging from hand-poured candles and curated apparel to gorgeous accessories and baked goods. We hope that you look forward to this year’s on-site updates, special events, and grand opening!

"As the Mayor of Berwyn, I am incredibly proud of the Berwyn Shops. This homegrown project has truly become a community space and a shopping destination for residents and visitors alike!"

www.berwyn-il.gov

Mayor Robert J. Lovero

Welcome to the 2023 Berwyn Shops Vendors!

2022 Berwyn Shops Graduation Celebration

BERWYN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WITH THE CITY OF BERWYN

CONTRACT

A. Business Attraction (New Business Prospects)

a. The BDC provided information to 35 new business prospects on land, buildings, demographics, labor force, housing, education, infrastructure, and other relevant information.

b. The BDC agreed to perform the following business attraction services to aid prospective businesses and developers:

i. BDC staff reviewed existing incentive programs to make recommendations and provide feedback from the development community. The BDC continued tracking feedback by way of commercial transfer stamps, business licenses, and building permit touches. This information is provided to the City of Berwyn by way of the Vacant Properties Report and Building Permit Report on a semi-annual basis.

1. The BDC continued to market the Finish Line Grant Program in Berwyn’s Roosevelt, Harlem, and Depot TIF Districts. In 2023, the BDC set aside $250,000 in the Roosevelt TIF, $250,000 in the Harlem TIF, and $100,000 to the Depot TIF.

a. The BDC committed $118,980.01 in Finish Line Grants to 12 projects throughout Q1 of 2023.

B. Business Retention and Expansion (Existing Business Prospects)

b. The BDC retention program identified the needs of existing businesses in the following ways:

i. The BDC provided information over 2,100 times via email and phone to existing businesses on economic, demographic, or commercial real estate. Some businesses were contacted with multiple touches, hence the large amount of retention information shared. The primary focus in Q1 of 2023 was connecting businesses to educational opportunities and sharing financial resources, such as the Source Grow Grant, Finish Line Grant, and Revolving Loan Fund.

ii. The BDC updated information on Berwyn’s economic profile, including the available properties map, vacancy information to aldermen, and sales tax data in our annual and quarterly reports. The BDC website was also updated to reflect change in resources and policies from national, state, and local guidance.

iv. The BDC continued to maintain a database of all Berwyn businesses and work with the Permit Administrator to collect business licenses.

i. The BDC conducted 4 corridor walks, 4 educational webinars, 1 informational session, and 1 business corridor roundtable. The roundtable focused on the Depot District.

C. Miscellaneous

a. The BDC operates the Commercial Loan and Microloan pools to assist community businesses with financing options.

b. The BDC celebrated the successful graduation of 11 small businesses from the Berwyn Shops incubator, as well as accepted applications for the 2023 season. 39 entrepreneurs were interested in the program and 28 community members applied to be jurors. During Q1, both the jurors and the new vendors were selected.

c. The BDC renewed its contract as a Community Navigator with the Cook County Small Business Source. As part of the contract, the BDC connects businesses to resources, as well as provides free one-on-one advising sessions to business owners. In Q1, the BDC team facilitated over 415 advising sessions and received $75,000 for their efforts.

d. In 2022, the BDC was awarded the RISE Grant in the amount of $75,000. These funds will be used to develop an economic recovery plan for the City of Berwyn. In Q1 of 2023, the BDC secured a consultant and initiated data collection for the updated plan.

e. In 2022, City Council requested administrative support for the Vacancy Ordinance, which requires owners of vacant properties to secure adequate insurance, submit redevelopment plans, and/or place the property on the market. In Q1 of 2023, City Council amended the ordinance and the BDC began implementing the program.

f. In general, the BDC leadership continues to encourage professional growth. As such, the economic development team actively participated in more than 20 seminars, trainings, or conferences. Of note, the team participated in a Cook County Panel Discussion and presented at the ICMA Conference, highlighting the Berwyn Shops.

BDC Awarded Certificate of Appreciation –Cook County Source

Flapjack Brewery - 6833 Stanley Business Roundtable

SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING REPORT

E-BLAST MARKETING RESULTS

The BDC’s email campaigns are split up into 4 major categories, Economic Development, Chamber, Why Berwyn, and The Berwyn Shops. By curatoring specific audiences we are able to make sure that the correct information is being delivered to correct people. Along with designing specific emails for defined audiences the emails are designed to improve engagement with our social media, website, and in person communication.

6,676

SOCIAL MEDIA RESULTS

SOCIAL MEDIA RESULTS

SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS: