Business Support

BAPA provides a range of resources and opportunities to local businesses, boosting their visibility through multiple marketing channels and advising prospective business owners who want to invest in the neighborhood. BAPA also advocates for commercial development and small business recruitment.

BAPA Business Membership

A BAPA business membership shows your support for the Beverly Hills/Morgan Park community and enables you and your business to take advantage of unique resources and benefits. BAPA business membership donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Benefits:

  • Updates on local events, programming, and public notices with subscription to BAPA’s regular business updates and a popular weekly e-newsletter.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with BAPA on all business-led events and promotions, social media campaigns, BAPA events, workshops and networking events.
  • Consultations with BAPA staff, your direct line to City of Chicago departments.
  • Opportunities to connect with target customers with a customized online directory listing for your business/organization that links to your website and social media through BAPA’s website, www.bapa.org.
  • Opportunities for tradespeople to earn the BAPA Verified badge, a distinction that identifies you as a trusted, vetted home improvement company serving Beverly Hills/Morgan Park.
  • Discounts on advertising rates in The Villager (16,000 circulation).
  • Participation in BAPA business development workshops and networking events.
  • Access to free business mentoring through SCORE at the BAPA office.
  • Promote your business to new residents by including your coupon, promotional item or marketing material in BAPA’s New Neighbor Welcome Bag.
  • Ribbon cutting ceremony with BAPA staff and BAPA business members for members with new storefront or offices (available upon request).

Are You in the Trades?

Earn the BAPA Verified badge for your company! BAPA is a trusted source for trades referrals, and the BAPA Verified badge identifies you as a vetted business to consumers. 

Promotion and spotlights on BAPA’s communications platforms

The Villager monthly newspaper (16,000 circulation)

Weekly E-Newsletter (8,000+ circulation)

BAPA Facebook page (8,600 followers)

BAPA Instagram page (2,400 followers)

Sponsorship opportunities:

BAPA’s popular special events have an annual audience reach of more than 10,000. Choose individual event sponsorships or sponsor across all events. 

  • Ridge Run
  • Memorial Day Parade
  • Home Tour
  • Garden Walk
  • Porch Concerts
  • History Mystery Bike Adventure
  • Sip & Shop

Business Workshops

BAPA partners with area experts to create business workshops that empower owners in an array of current best-practices.

Digital Marketing 101

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Instagram Workshop for Beginners

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Business Resources and Networking

BAPA can help you connect with the resources you need to start a new business or make your existing business better.

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SCORE Counseling

A SCORE business mentor is available by appointment at the BAPA office to help entrepreneurs learn more about business start-up, finding funding, expanding their current business, managing cash flow and marketing. SCORE volunteer mentors are experienced business executives and entrepreneurs who share their expertise to help small businesses succeed. They work one-on-one to help business owners resolve challenges and achieve positive results. Mentoring is free and offered by appointment only. 

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City of Chicago Resources/ NBDC

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) ensures a fair and vibrant marketplace for businesses and consumers. BACP licenses businesses, provides business education and access to resources, enforces the Municipal Code, and protects consumers from fraud. BAPA is a BACP Neighborhood Business Development Center delegate agency.

The City of Chicago Small Business Center (SBC) assists in new business start-ups, business expansion, and helping businesses with a variety of issues.

To determine the zoning classification for any property in Beverly Hills/Morgan Park, use the City of Chicago’s interactive zoning map.

To find out if a particular type of business is allowed in a zoning classification, use the City of Chicago’s Business and Commercial Uses table