Chicago City Treasurer Opens Small Business Plan Competion

May 5, 2006; 03:11 AM

CHICAGO – Chicago City Treasurer Judith C. Rice has announced the kick off of the 2006 Chicago Small Business Plan competition.

“With bigger prize money, and more winners we look forward to the most exciting Business Plan Competitions and Small Business Expo’s ever. This year we look forward to working with a lot of Chicago’s Technology leaders to help make business start ups in the Technology Sector aware of this competion and prize money. The Treasurers Office along with our partners at Harris Bank, UIC, and Chicago Community Ventures are committed to helping out small business because it is such a vital link to the Chicago Economy and making Chicago a great place to live and do business.”

The Business Plan competition is sponsored by Harris Bank, and Chicago Community Ventures. This year winners in two categories of start up, and existing small business hoping to reach their next level will vie for the 1st Place $7500 and 2nd place $2500 prizes.

Held in conjunction with the City Treasurer's 2006 Small Business Expo on Friday August 11th, the Business Plan Competition will give entrepreneurs and start-ups the opportunity to submit written business plans and win money and prizes that consist of resources critical to a new business.

Also new this year on a first come first serve basis…free expert training in creating a successful business plan being led by the world renowned UIC Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, and Chicago Community Ventures. The classes will be offered on 5/25, 6/2, and 6/16.

Applicants for the Small Business Competition are encouraged to join this competition by submitting their business plans to the City Treasurer’s Office by July 7, 2006, 4:30 p.m. (CDT), via U.S. mail, fax, or email. A panel of distinguished professionals from the financial, legal, marketing, and academic sectors will select 10 semifinalists, and then the winners will be announced at this years Small Business Expo.

Additional information regarding the Business Plan Competition and the Small Business Expo can be obtained on the City Treasurer’s website at http://www.chicagocitytreasurer.org, calling 311 or by contacting the City Treasurer’s office at 312-744-EXPO.

About the Expo
The 5th Annual City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo is designed to promote entrepreneurship in the Chicago area, enhance understanding of business planning, and provide high quality educational experiences to Chicago entrepreneurs. This annual event’s growth in popularity has established it as a must-attend Chicago event for entrepreneurs. Each year attendees experience a wealth of resources through a program format providing expert-instructed workshops, access to over 100 exhibitors from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, and networking with other Chicago land small business owners. The City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo will be held at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion, 525 South Racine Avenue, on Friday, August 11, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. More information can be found at http://www.chicagocitytreasurer.com.