North Branch Works

Kennedy/Kimball SBIF Information Session
2026-04-01 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
The City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) is an incredible opportunity to strengthen commercial and industrial businesses
We’re thrilled that SBIF is about to open in part of our service area, the Kennedy Kimball Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).
North Branch Works is teaming up with Wintrust Bank to hold an information session for interested businesses on Wednesday, April 1st at 12:30 p.m. It’ll be held in the taproom at Revolution Brewing (3340 N Kedzie). Lunch will be provided.
SBIF provides reimbursable grants to property owners and tenant businesses for permanent building improvements.
Grant funds can be used for things like new windows, doors, floors, HVAC systems, roofs, electrical wiring, interior remodeling, and more.
Commercial companies are eligible for a grant up to $150,000 while industrial firms can receive a maximum of $250,000 with 50% project reimbursement.
Eligible businesses in Kennedy Kimball include Henry Frerk Sons, Neiman Brothers, Automatic Anodizing, Lakefront Roofing & Siding Supply, H.M. Witt & Company, and Pumping Station: One.
The SBIF program will open for applications on April 1st and the deadline to apply in Kennedy Kimball is April 30th.
With questions about SBIF and to RSVP for the information session on April 1st, please contact Steve Simmons at 773-929-5552 x2226 or steve@northbranchworks.org

Second City Gaming Launch Party
2026-04-03 19:00 - 22:00
Join us in celebrating our new member, Second City Gaming, at their launch party on Friday, April 3rd at Kinowerks.
For more information and to RSVP, please visit the following link: https://luma.com/u8gj94kl

North Branch Works Brewery and Distillery Tour
2026-04-09 17:00 - 20:00 | The Green Exchange, 2545 W Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647, United States
Have you ever wondered what advanced manufacturing near the North Branch of the Chicago River looks like in 2026? Mark your calendars for April 9th, the North Branch Works Brewery tour date is set! Please purchase tickets at this link.
Each year, North Branch Works partners with businesses across our service area to share the depth of craft products in our neighborhood. Discover the power of local manufacturing and the developing and innovative North Branch industrial corridor. In this tour, you will meet the community leaders, business owners, and neighbors who have built our neighborhoods and sustain thriving businesses in our area. This year, our partners at Maplewood Brewery and Distillery (2717 N Maplewood Ave), Burning Bush Brewery (4014 N Rockwell St), and Lake Effect Brewery (3074-76 N Milwaukee Ave), and more have offered to open their operations for viewers to visit and taste craft brews and spirits.

Infrastructure Webinar
2026-04-14 10:00 - 11:30
Please join us for a webinar on April 14th at 10 a.m. featuring the latest updates about major infrastructure and development projects in the North Branch.
To sign up at no cost, please go here.
The program is approximately seventy-five minutes; we’ll have time for questions and answers following each presentation.
Topics include:

Chicago Avenue Bridge and Halsted Viaduct
Division Street Bridges
Cortland and Grand bridge updates

Stay tuned for updates to the agenda.
As these projects move forward, NBW understands the importance of keeping our businesses and neighborhood partners informed so that disruptions are minimized as much as possible.
We hope you can attend the webinar on April 14th, hear the latest updates from CDOT and our partners, and share your input.

SBIF closes in Kennedy/Kimball TIF
2026-04-30 17:00
The deadline for SBIF applications for the Kennedy/Kimball TIF closes at 5pm today.

North Branch Works Annual Goose Island Cleanup
2026-05-09 09:00 - 12:00
Join North Branch Works for the 13th annual Goose Island Cleanup on May 9th, 2026, in collaboration with Friends of the Chicago River.

Exit Planning Webinar - Employee Ownership with Project Equity
2026-05-27 08:00 - 17:00
In collaboration with the Greater Northwest Chicago Development Corporation, Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, North Branch Works, and Peterson Pulaski Business & Industry Council, Project Equity and the Revolution Institute are hosting a succession planning webinar designed specifically for business owners who want to prepare their companies for the future.

Register here: Securing what you built: EO for Chicago's North Side

LIRI Job Fair
2026-06-11 09:00 - 12:00
Join us at The Hatchery for a chance to meet employers actively recruiting for roles in modern manufacturing, logistics, transportation, and more! For more information and to register for this FREE event, please see the link below:
Upcoming Events – The Hatchery Chicago

Blues and Brews Tour: Bike the North Branch 2026
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00
Please join us for our bike tour on July 25th from 10 a.m. to noon.To register, please go here.
This 5-mile tour will highlight businesses from the music industry and the brewing and distilling world, that keep the city singing and dancing!
The ride will start near famed Chicago venues, The Hideout and The Salt Shed, and follow the Elston separated bike lanes to Rockwell. We will make our first stop at Rockwell on the River for coffee and pastries at Dolce Arte (3057 N Rockwell St).
After gathering our refreshments, we will make a short jaunt to the outer walls of Electrical Audio (2621 W Belmont Ave) and visit Steve Albini Way to tell the story of an incredible audio engineer who worked with bands such as Nirvana, The Pixies, and PJ Harvey.
Our journey continues on the 312 River Run Trail, which includes the breathtaking Riverview Bridge (pictured below) that provides a safe connection across the Chicago River. While taking in the beautiful scenery and riding along the North Branch, we will discuss its designation as a "working" river with recreational benefits as well as collective efforts to revitalize the natural habitat.
At Irving Park Road, we will leave the trail and stop into Delmark Records (4121 N Rockwell St) to discuss blues recordings at, "the oldest continuously operating jazz and blues independent record label in the United States."
Our ride will conclude at Burning Bush Brewery (4014 N Rockwell St). Pizza will be provided at no extra cost!

2026 North Branch Works Fall Festival
2026-10-08 18:00 - 21:00
Join North Branch Works for our annual Fall Festival, Thursday, October 8th, 2026.
