AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/economic-development/)
Attend a public presentation May 23 at Kehrein Center for the Arts to learn more about initial recommendations being made to strengthen Central Avenue so it can be a north-south connector for the Austin community.
Stop by Jamaican Grill, at 5241 W. Chicago Ave., from 12 to 8 p.m. for its grand opening. Between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. there will be black economic empowerment rally (B.E.E.R.) in the heart of the Soul City Corridor.
A project to revitalize Central Avenue from Madison Street to Chicago Avenue is starting its first steps in the planning process. Austin Coming Together is leading the charge to revitalize one of Austin’s major thoroughfares.
The Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together, joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Planning Department Commissioner Maurice Cox, will break ground on the new $40 million ASPIRE Center for Workforce Innovation. It will be located in the former Emmett Elementary School at 5500 W. Madison St., which was closed under Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration.
Four community projects worth a total of $100 million will be opening over the next few years in Austin. The projects were celebrated at the annual summit of Austin Coming Together held last weekend.
Ald. Emma Mitts, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other city officials attended the groundbreaking ceremony held this week – on the three-year anniversary of the city’s INVEST South/West plan.
Starting in June, ambassadors will provide a friendly, welcoming presence on streets and provide residents with information about parking, dining and shopping. In Austin, the Westside Health Authority will run the ambassador program on Madison Street and Pulaski Road, and Chicago Avenue.
Every Wednesday in February, the Mid-America Club will be spotlighting a business leader from Chicago’s West or South Side. Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association, will be speaking Feb. 9th.
The three businesses – POTLUC, Soul City Chicago and Third City Cafe – are receiving about $3 million out of $14.4 million being funded through the Chicago Recovery Plan. More than 180 proposals were submitted during the latest round of funding. The next deadline to apply for a grant is Jan. 31.
The Dream Center is a new co-working spaces and business support services agency on Chicago Avenue.