In This Issue:

Be your BEST on-line!  Join us for a free seminar on November 12, 2019

Is Your Business easy to find on-line?  Attend CONECT’s Business Education Series on Technology (BEST) to learn about growing your business with Google. 

Google has launched a series of educational resources to help businesses optimize their on-line presence and grow their business.  Can your business be found on-line? 

CONECT serves as the Village’s Economic Development Committee, working with local businesses to provide feedback, helping businesses to connect, network, and create opportunities to educate businesses.   CONECT, the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are partnering to help you better use social media to grow your business.

Join us for a free brown-bag lunch and get help listing your business on-line with Google.  

Register here for this free program. 

Nominate Your Favorite Business for an Award

Like a Hanover Park business or their service? Nominate your favorite business for the “2019 Business of the Year Award.”  This award honors contributions made by Hanover Park businesses benefiting the community.

All residents and businesses are encouraged to nominate outstanding local businesses.  Nominated business must be in Hanover Park and will be judged in several categories such as: 

• Community Involvement

• Excellence in Customer Service

• Positive Image and Appearance 

 Deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, November 30^th. The Village’s Economic Development Committee Members will evaluate nominations to determine the winners. You can nominate businesses in two categories:  Small businesses with up to 50 employees, and larger businesses with more than 50 employees.  Winning businesses will receive an award at the 2019 Village Awards Presentation and will be featured on the Village Facebook Page and the Hi-Lighter Newsletter.

 
You can nominate a business on the Village website, or send this nomination form  back to the Village.

DuPage County Solar Energy for Businesses

In 2017 the State passed legislation to create Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“C-PACE”) programs designed to assist business in accessing low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency, water conservation projects in commercial buildings.  An overview from the IL Finance Authority is online here.  

DuPage County's C-PACE program is now activated and is being administered by the Illinois Energy Conservation Authority NFP (IECA), an Illinois not-for-profit corporation.  Visit the IECA website for more information about C-PACE or to submit a pre-application.  For a wide range of case studies and information on PACE programs throughout the U.S., visit PACENation. 

The Cook County program is in development and we’ll provide information when available.  Hanover Park has embraced solar energy technology and information on solar permits in the Village is found here.

Small Business Saturday, November 30^th

Independent stores, often known as “mom and pop” stores provide local jobs and create the uniqueness that is only found in Hanover Park.   The Village supports “Shop Small Saturday” which will be held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. 

As a resident and business, please “Shop Local and Shop Small”.  As a business, register at this link, plan events in your store and get listed on the American Express website for greater outreach to customers:  

From the Federal Trade Commission:  What You Can do to Fend off Hackers

Your Personal information is valuable.  For National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the FTC has published tips to help you fend off hackers who might try to steal it. 

Be cyber smart!  These tips are on the FTC website here.  View their whole website for other good information.

Training at WBDC

The Village hosts business hours by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) on the 2^nd Tuesday of the month, at Village Hall. 

Associate Director of Entrepreneurial Services, Aisha McBurrows will meet with you to help with business planning – while the WBDC specializes in certification of Women and Minority owned businesses, ALL BUSINESSES are welcome to access their services.  Contact Aisha for an appointment at (630) 256-4642.  Information on  upcoming programs  for November is found on-line. 

Training Events at the College of DuPage

Visit the Illinois Small Business Development website for information on classes across the region, and to register.   November workshops at the College of DuPage Business Development Center include:

• 11/11/19       Bid to Win     9:30 AM to Noon
• 11/12/19       Export 101   10:00 AM to Noon
• 11/12/19       Starting Government Contracting  1PM  to 3:30 PM
  
  

Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce Events:

Click on these links, email Mary for more information, or call the office at 630-830-0324.

• Taste of the Towns, November 7, 2019, 5:30 – 7:30 PM   Join Chamber member restaurants and spend an evening with friends.  Advance registration is appreciated.
• Women in Business Polka Dot Progression Luncheon, November 20, 2019 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM
• Want to have a Successful Email Campaign?  Stop Doing These 3 things!, November 13, 2019, 7:30 – 9:30 AM
  
  

Northwest Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Click on the links, email Tia for more information, or call the office at (630) 708-0694.

• El Cafecito: Networking Strategy,
  November 6, 2019, 9:00 -10:00 AM
  
  

Google Tools You Should Be Using

Google Analytics – If you have a website and don’t have Google Analytics installed, you’re probably missing out on some vital information that can help you make better digital marketing decisions and get deeper insight into your customers.

Google Analytics is free, takes 30 seconds to install on your site, and gives you comprehensive information on site visitors, where your traffic is coming from, and user behavior, so you can make educated decisions about your sales process. Set it up and not sure what anything means? Google offers Analytics Academy (free!) to guide you through the process and get certified in Analytics.

4^th Annual Small Business Forum

The Village hosted the 4^th Annual Small Business Forum on October 23, 2019.  Twenty-two business owners heard a panel of experts discuss timely tips on marketing, financing and growing a business.

The sessions are featured on the Village's YouTube channel.

Our thanks to First Eagle Bank and Hanover Park Community Bank for sponsoring!