November 2022 Business Matters News

In This Issue:

Business of the Year
Holiday Decorating Contest
Shop Small Saturday - 11/26/22
Facade Grant Program
Business Resources
Sign Code Requirements
Jobs Board
Next Level Northwest
A Business Plan is a Must

Business of the Year 2022

Nominate Your Favorite Hanover Park Business!

Our local businesses are the heartbeat of the community, providing goods and services for our families, jobs, revenues for the community and supporting local charities and sports teams. Now it’s time to nominate your favorite Hanover Park business for the 2022 Business of the Year Award! This award honors contributions made by Hanover Park businesses benefiting and having a positive impact on our community. As a business owner, you can vote for your own business!

All residents and businesses are encouraged to nominate outstanding local businesses that they have had positive experiences with. Nominated businesses must be in Hanover Park and will be judged in several categories including but not limited to:

Excellence in Customer Service
Positive Image and Appearance
Community Involvement

Economic Development Committee members will evaluate nominations to determine the winners in two categories: Large business (50+ employees) and Small business (up to 50 employees). Winners will:

Receive a trophy at the 2023 Village Awards Presentation
Be featured on the Village Facebook page
Be featured in the Hanover Park Hi-Lighter and Business Matters Newsletters

The deadline to submit nominations is December 1, 2022.

Nomination forms can be found on the Village website at www.hpil.org or you may pick up a form at Village Hall.

Holiday Decorating Contest

Open to all Hanover Park residents AND business!

The Village of Hanover Park and the Hanover Park Park District are looking for the best Holiday Decorated Homes and Businesses in Hanover Park. By participating in the contest, your home or business will be placed on our Holiday Decorating Contest Tour Map so resident and visitors can experience your holiday cheer!

REGISTER HERE! (Beginning November 26, 2021)

Participant Requirements:
The contest is open to all Hanover Park residents and businesses. Registration is FREE. Please register no later that Thursday, December 9th. All homes will be placed on our Holiday Decorating Contest Tour Map which will go active on Monday, December 13. Download the Event Flyer in English and Spanish

Award Categories

Peoples Choice Award- Best Holiday Decorated Home
Peoples Choice Award- Best Holiday Decorated Business
Village Board Award- Selected by the Village Board
Park District Award- Selected by the Hanover Park Park District

PRIZES
The winner of the People's Choice Award for Best Holiday Decorated Home, Best Holiday Decorated Business and the Village Board Award will win a $100 gift card. The Hanover Park Park District Award will be a Holly Jolly Craft Box. The winners and second place finishers will be featured in an upcoming Hi-Lighter newsletter. Winners will be announced on Thursday, December 23rd.

Shop Small Saturday - Nov. 26th

Support Your Local Retailers!

The “Shop Local - Shop Small” movement was created to shine a spotlight on locally owned businesses across the U.S. This year, the 12th annual Shop Small Saturday is November 26, 2022. When you begin your holiday shopping this year, consider buying products and gift certificates from local retailers in Hanover Park before buying from national retailers.

When you support your favorite local shops, look for new ones too…you will be helping to build a stronger Hanover Park because your money stays local and supports local jobs as well as your neighbors and business community.

Last year, U.S. shoppers came together to support their local communities more than ever. In 2021 Small Business Saturday shoppers spent $23.3 billion in reported spending. Online shopping at a small business that day was also up, with 58% of shoppers making an online purchase from a small business. Shop local and support your community!

You can find a list of Hanover Park businesses and restaurants on the Village’s website at https://www.hpil.org/255/Business-Directory

Facade Grant Program

Financial Assistance for Commercial Properties in TIF Districts 3, 4, and 5

The Village has approved grant funds for improving the exterior facades (face) of existing commercial buildings. The Facade Grant Program has been created for all eligible businesses and commercial properties in TIF Districts 3, 4, and 5:

Up to 50% of eligible project costs will be reimbursed (up to $25,000)
Minimum project cost should be at least $5,000
Landscaping can be up to 30% of grant amount
Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis

Eligible Improvements:

Awnings & canopies
Exterior walls/doors/windows/shutter/downspouts
Exterior building materials
Stairs, sidewalks, porches, railings, colonnades
Signs (in conjunction with a comprehensive façade improvement project)
Outdoor seating areas
Landscaping
Fencing
Dumpster enclosure
Screening of mechanical equipment/utilities at grade level or on the roof
Code improvements

For more information, please call Community Development at 630-823-5780 or go to https://www.hpil.org/1054/Facade-Grants

Looking for Business Resources?

Here are several places to go for help...

Women's Business Development Center
The WBDC's mission is to support and accelerate business development and growth. They serve ALL diverse business owners with coaching, advising, and acquiring financial/capital assistance. Go to https://www.wbdc.org/en/venue/wbdc-aurora/ or call 312-853-3477

Next Level Northwest
NLNW is a not-for-profit 501c3 organization, set up specifically to help existing small businesses grow by providing FREE coaching services -in areas of marketing, managing finances, sales, operations etc. It is a unique public-private partnership started by five municipalities (Elk Grove, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg). Go to https://nextlevelnorthwest.org/ or call Community Development at 630-823-5780 and we can help you apply and get started.

Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce & the Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Both chambers are there to help create strong community partnerships to benefit businesses and potential customers. People do business with people they know, like and trust. The chambers provide networking, professional development, and promotional opportunities along with a voice in legislative issues as an advocate for the business community. Go to https://www.bartlettareachamber.com/ or call 630-830-0324, or https://www.nwhccil.org/ or call 630-708-0694

The Hanover Park Business Resource Directory
Visit the Village of Hanover Park's Business page to find many resources for your business including links and contacts to the above organizations, seminars and webinars, COVID-19 resources, networking events, and the Harper College Small Business Development Center. Go to: https://www.hpil.org/240/Business-Resources or call Community Development at 630-823-5780

Looking to Install a Sign on Your Business?

Most signs require a permit!

Here are a few rules to be aware of:

Window signs may not be larger than 50% of any one window
A-frame signs require permits and must be kept near the business's and off of the parkway, and must by removed by the close of each business day
Grand Opening signs are allowed, but also require a permit

PROHIBITED SIGNS:

Marquee, scrolling, flashing or crawling signs
Box signs over 12 inches in height
Inflatable signs, pennants or feather signs
Painted wall signage
Pole-mounted, roof top and vehicle signs

* Please also remember to remove any bird nests from any signs or letters
For more details, you can review the Hanover Park Sign Code here:
https://library.municode.com/IL/Hanover%20Park/CODES/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH6SICO

Are You Looking for Employees?

The Village Job Board is a great place to post

The Village's Job Board is a great resource for both employers and job seekers. Employers can post job opportunities to find great employees locally, and job seekers can browse openings available right in their home town. Simply fill out the short form and we will be sure to get your open position posted on the Village's website.

To post a job at your business, go to https://www.hpil.org/Jobs.aspx and complete the online form.

If you have any questions or need assistance, call or email Community Development at 630-823-5780 or CDevelopment@hpil.org

Take Your Business to the NEXT Level

Next Level Northwest can help you succeed

Have you thought about ways to get your business to the next level - increasing your brand awareness, revenues and success? FREE help is here for you and your business. Next Level Northwest offers free coaching, training and support in any area of business you need help with.

This valuable one-on-one coaching program can make YOU their next success story. You can read about their recent success stories and apply here: www.nextlevelnorthwest.org/apply-now. See what they can offer you!

Questions? Need help applying? Call Community Development at 630-823-5780 or email us at CDevelopment@hpil.org and we can get your started AND help you through the entire application process.

Do You Have a Business Plan?

If you have or are starting a small business, a business plan is an important first step!

Reasons you need a Business Plan:

It will help steer your business as you start up and continue to grow
It is a written tool to project your business's path for the next 3-5 years
It can help you make good financial and management decisions
It can help identify any weaknesses to avoid common pitfalls
It can assist you in getting funding (loans or grants)

There is no right or wrong way to write a business plan - the most important thing is that it works for you and your business.

To learn more and for help in getting started: visit https://www.sba.gov/blog/5-reasons-you-need-business-plan

You can also contact the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) at 312-853-3477. They can assist ANY small business, woman-owned or not!

Did you know...there are useful business-related webinars available for you to watch that can help you make your business more successful? View our past BEST seminars on YouTube here: https://tinyurl.com/hpbestseminars

Questions?
Please Contact the
Community & Economic Development Department

CDevelopment@hpil.org

630-823-5780

If you would like your business news included in a Business Matters newsletter, please contact us by email or by phone.