Demographics & Resources
United States Census Bureau
Business Resources
Choose DuPage
The Goals of Choose DuPage are to support local municipal economic development initiatives; grow, retain, and attract office, retail, industrial and commercial businesses; and address policy issues critical to the needs of business. Choose DuPage is dedicated to establishing DuPage County as a premier global business location by working to expand and diversify the DuPage County economy through actions that stimulate business investment in its communities and generate desirable job opportunities for DuPage County residents.
Elmhurst University: Elmhurst Partners
Elmhurst Community Partners draws on the considerable resources and educational expertise of Elmhurst University. As part of its ongoing development as a superior institution of higher learning, the University created Elmhurst Partners in 2001 as a corporate training arm, advancing the school’s commitment to adult education and lifelong learning. Today, Elmhurst Partners offers customized training and development, academic programs and a wide array of consulting services. Elmhurst Partners is a one-stop shop for businesses and organizations. In addition to our training and academic services, we can connect you with student interns through the Center for Professional Excellence and provide information about the University’s robust calendar of events.
Elmhurst Public Library: Business Services
Elmhurst Public Library supports Elmhurst’s dynamic local business community by offering services to help you to start, run and grow your business. The business owners located in Elmhurst are entitled to an EPL business library card which grants access to the following services:
- Business Center with workspace for individuals and groups
- Access to Copy Center and Poster Printer
- 3-D Printing
- Meeting Rooms and Group Study Rooms
- Creative Studio
- Business Programs featuring professional speakers and monthly Elmhurst Business Connection opportunities.
College of DuPage Small Business Development Center
The Illinois SBDC at College of DuPage offers their expertise to entrepreneurs and small business owners through affordable and valuable Advising, Training, and Resources.
Advising: The SBDC provides one-on-one counseling services to new and existing businesses at no charge. They will review business plans and discuss financing options, bank loans, SBA and state-backed loan programs, marketing, management and other topics of concern to business clients.
Training: The SBDC conducts nearly 50 seminars and workshops throughout the year that address topics important to all business owners; providing information that is timely, relevant and immediately applicable in a real-world environment.
Resources: If you are thinking about getting into business and want general information, if you are looking for information on business plans or financing, or if you want to conduct a financial analysis of your company, the SBDC reference section can be a valuable resource.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The Illinois Department of Commerce is the State Agency that leads economic development efforts for Illinois. Their main focus is to retain and create jobs in Illinois by marketing to:
- Existing businesses, encouraging them to reinvest and create more jobs for Illinois citizens;
- New businesses, inviting them to relocate, invest, and create new jobs;
- International companies, positioning Illinois as a global business destination for Foreign Direct Investment;
- Entrepreneurs and investors, connecting resources to support their startups and ventures; and
- Locally and globally, promoting Illinois as a world-class tourism and film destination.
The Department is organized into the following Offices that are laser focused on economic growth for the State of Illinois: Business Development; Community Development; Employment & Training; Energy & Recycling; Energy Assistance; Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology; Film; Tourism; Trade & Investment; and Urban Assistance.
Intersect Illinois
Intersect Illinois brings new jobs, investment and economic prosperity to Illinois through dynamic partnerships and collaborations with companies, universities, organizations and the government to deliver a unified approach to economic development.
Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)
A catalyst for transforming the state of manufacturing. IMEC links long-term plans with on-site implementation services by identifying performance gaps, solving these gaps, and building a culture to support sustained improvements. IMEC helps manufacturers optimize operating capacity, implement advanced product and process innovations, increase sales and enter new markets, and improve profitability.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Since its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. SBA provides assistances primarily through its four programmatic functions: Access to Capital, Entrepreneurial Development, Government Contracting, and Advocacy.
Entrepreneurship.org
Created by the Kauffman Foundation, Entrepreneurship.org is an online resource to help entrepreneurs grow great ideas. The site provides innovative educational tools and informative resources covering the latest issues and insights affecting entrepreneurs.
Additional Local Resources
- Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce
- Elmhurst City Centre
- Elmhurst Park District
- Elmhurst Pride Collective
- Edward Elmhurst Health System
- Spring Road Business Association
- York & Vallette Business Association
Area Schools