In many ways, 2025 was a challenging year for our local businesses. Despite an uncertain environment, we persevered, worked together, and found ways to grow.
Here are the top ten stories from the North Branch of the Chicago River in 2025:
1. In October, the City of Chicago recognized Howe Corporation (see below right) with a Manufacturing Month Award. Howe Corporation is a multi-generational, women-owned business that manufactures and sells refrigeration equipment from its facility at 1650 N, Elston Avenue. The company produces approximately 1,000 units in a typical year; they range in daily ice production from 1,000 to 20,000 lbs.
The 2025 Chicago Manufacturing Awards ceremony at mHub on Chicago's Near West Side; October 2025.
2. NBW successfully facilitated a Green Business A.ccelerator Program in partnership with Prosperity Now. The first half of the program built the capacity of business serving organizations and community advocates to help companies with interest in transitioning into the rapidly growing green economy. During the second half, we trained nine businesses to enter the green economy. Each business received a grant of $2,500 to put these ideas in practice when the program wrapped up.
3. Nineteen businesses applied for reimbursable grants from the City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) when it opened on Goose Island and Addison South in 2025. We led the outreach for SBIF in these areas and continue to work with businesses to help them complete their building improvement projects and receive their grants.
Goose Island
4. In November, Goose Island Shrimp House (1011 W Division Street) held the first-ever Thanksgiving meal giveaway on Goose Island. Within two hours, the business gave away 100 meal packs including a turkey and side dishes, drinks, and dessert. Stay tuned for more opportunities to support this event in 2025.
Goose Island Shrimp House -Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway
5. In October, Maplewood Brewery & Distillery (2717 N Maplewood Avenue) in Logan Square won a Made in Illinois Grant. This state program made 29 awards to small and mid-sized manufacturers across Illinois. Maplewood will use these funds to help with the costs of a new brewhouse and the related installation costs.
6. The Chicago Avenue Bridge replacement and Halsted Viaduct Project officially started in August of 2025. NBW held a webinar with the Chicago Department of Transportation to ensure our businesses received important updates. It’s expected the project will take two years to complete.
7. During our Fall Fest, NBW recognized businesses and leaders for their positive contributions to our service area. Metropolis Coffee Company won our Industrial Business of the Year Award; World Business Chicago received our Partner of the Year; and former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. won our Donna Ducharme Award for Outstanding Leadership to the North Branch Community.
Former Ald. Walter Burnett accepting Donna Ducharme Leadership Award
8. In February, approximately 100 people attended our North Branch infrastructure and bridge replacement webinar. This program provided updates on the construction schedules for the Division Street Bridge on Goose Island, and the Chicago Avenue Bridge and Halsted Viaduct Project. We also discussed development projects such as the next phase of the Lathrop Homes project, Onni Group’s Halsted Pointe, and Bally’s Casino.
9. Small businesses win grants in partnership with NBW. Parachute HiFi won a national grant from Grubhub and National Ace and Brothers Restaurant won a community development grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning & Development.
10. NBW connected businesses to financial resources. In 2025, we helped a property owner refinance a commercial mortgage, saving him a significant amount of interest in monthly payments. We also executed a low-interest loan to a business, providing it with capital to make necessary building improvements.
Thank you to our member businesses and partners for a productive and resilient year.
Parachute HiFi (3500 N Elston Avenue)
