News

Tips for Finding Your Best Export Markets

Tips for Finding Your Best Export Markets Achieving your global sales goals is easier when you have current, reliable, actionable market intelligence.   Learn to conduct your market intelligence search using resources created by the export experts at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. You'll find out which markets worldwide show the most demand – right now – for your specific product or service.Whether you're a new or active exporter, our comprehensive

Shuttered Hotel To Get New Life as Affordable Apartments — For Less Than $5 Million

Shuttered Hotel To Get New Life as Affordable Apartments — For Less Than $5 MillionDeveloper Cites Advantages of Private Financing in Strategy To Meet US Housing Gap The former Ramada Inn in Sheffield, Alabama, will be converted to housing for middle-income workers. (CoStar) By Mark Heschmeyer CoStar News  The pandemic’s disruption of the housing and hospitality markets has created an opportunity for developer Richard Rubin to buy permanently closed hotels and convert them into apartments for

U.S. Trade and Development Agency Trade Posts

     TradePosts     JANUARY 14, 2021 | Vol. 114          Message from USTDA's Chief Operating Officer and Head of Agency            In every way, 2020 was a year to remember. Through it all, USTDA prepared and prevailed in its core

US Commercial Service Illinois Trade Events & Opportunities

Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities  Commercial Service Illinois continues to provide our clients and partners with counseling and information during these challenging times. Know that we are here for you whether you have questions about the status of an event, need to cancel a service, or are checking on the status of an export market.  To learn more about our virtual services, visit Trade.gov/virtual-services.  Connect with us on social media @USCommercialSvc for our latest updates

National US Rental Demand Closes Out Year at Strongest Level Since 2000

National US Rental Demand Closes Out Year at Strongest Level Since 2000Large Sun Belt Cities Stood Out Once Again in the Fourth Quarter, but Some Coastal Markets Rebounded Dallas-Fort Worth led the country in apartment demand for the third quarter in a row. (iStock) By David Kahn and Sam Tenenbaum CoStar Analytics  The United States ended the year with the best fourth quarter for apartment demand in two decades with large Sun Belt cities driving the most traffic, though some high-priced coastal

For Many Big-Name Retailers, 2020 Proved Brutal

For Many Big-Name Retailers, 2020 Proved BrutalPandemic Turmoil Leads to Large Numbers of Store Closures By Kevin Cody and Jelena Schulz CoStar Advisory Services  The pandemic helped accelerate a shakeout in retail that led many brands to retrench and rethink operations. Here's a look at some of the major store closings announced during 2020.

News Release: 1/14/2021

  The PB NewsBlog: January 14, 2021Welcome to the weekly roll-up of the Porte Brown NewsBlog. Want to skip this summary? Go directly to NewsBlog now >>   Questions?     ExitSmarts™ Webinar #5: Value Driver Implementation    Join Porte Brown on Thursday, January 28th at 2pm for our next ExitSmarts webinar, "Value Driver Implementation." This webinar is a continuation of the ExitSmarts: Exit Planning for Main Street Businesses series and will

Updated Mandatory Poster Sets Now Required

         UPDATED MANDATORY POSTER SETS NOW REQUIRED         Poster Sets are $49 per set plus sales tax and shipping    Place Your Order          Contact Information    Questions? Contact the Business Services Coordinator, Kirsten Constant  P: 217-522-5512 ext 227E:

2020 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Applications Available

  For immediate release, January 14, 20212020 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Applications Available             Deadline for submission of applications and supporting documentation is Friday, April 2.Elgin, IL - Applications for the 2021 Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program are now available to be downloaded from the City’s website at cityofelgin.org/historicgrants. The deadline for

Multifamily Properties Are Positioned for a Strong 2021

RomanBabakin/iStock/Getty ImagesPROPERTY TYPES>MULTIFAMILY  Multifamily Properties Are Positioned for a Strong 2021   The rollout of a vaccine and the likelihood of more federal COVID-19 relief measures in the near term will help sustain the apartment sector. Bendix Anderson  Economists expect the average apartment community to remain close to fully-occupied in 2021 with relatively stable rents and stable collections. Investors ended 2020 on a brisk buying clip fueled in part by capital

13 Real Estate Articles on the 13th of January

Rasi Bhadramani/iStock/Getty ImagesREAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE  13 Must Reads for the CRE Industry Today (Jan. 13, 2021)   Some REITs have been buying their own shares, according to Dow Jones Newswires. New York restaurant owners file a new lawsuit against Governor Cuomo over shifting regulations, reports Eater New York. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry. WMRE Staff Big Real Estate Firms Turn Buyers of Their Own Shares “Some publicly traded real-estate

Office Sales Are Starting to Tick Up, as Distress Fails to Materialize

Peter Adams/Stone/Getty ImagesPROPERTY TYPES>OFFICE  Office Sales Are Starting to Tick Up, as Distress Fails to Materialize   Private equity funds have been among the most active buyers in recent months. Patricia Kirk  That quarter saw a portfolio deal by the Blackstone Group, which agreed to acquire a 49 percent stake in Hudson Pacific Properties’ studio and office portfolio in Los Angeles, including five office buildings with almost 1 million sq. ft. of space. The second largest office portfolio

A Bumpy Start to a New Year

A Bumpy Start to a New Year “Crippled and crazy, we hobble toward the finish line, pen in hand.”-Siri Hustvedt, American novelist and essayistThat’s basically how we approach our deadline each week. Just ask our wonderful editors.This week was particularly challenging. There is always plenty to think about when new jobs data is released, and pairing that with new record COVID deaths and the U.S. Capitol building being overrun for the first time in over 200 years … well, it can be hard to pull a narrative

Illinois Chamber Rail Report

January 11, 2021  Highlights from Today:  Both the House and Senate were in session today.   The Economic Equity Act was divided into four bills, each listed below.   SB 1480 was amended and now states that it is a civil rights violation for any employer, employment agency or labor organization to use a conviction record as a basis to refuse to hire, to segregate, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship,

SBA Announces ASCENT Online Learning Platform for Women

    SBA has announced Ascent, an interactive digital platform packed with resources women business owners need to set, and achieve, their business goals. Ascent is designed for the “missing middle” — growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are beyond the start-up phase and already generating revenue yet looking to grow and scale. Most learning resources for business owners focus on either start-ups or mature businesses. Ascent is here to change that!During these challenging times, SBA’s Ascent can

IDPH Posts COVID-19 Vaccination Data

IDPH Posts COVID-19 Vaccination Data Illinois Averages 24,200 Vaccines Administered Daily for Past Seven Days SPRINGFIELD – Beginning today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is now reporting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination data on its website, with data to be updated daily and additional data to be provided as available.  It is important to note that vaccine distribution figures are reported in real time, while vaccine administration figures are reported with as much as a

Elgin Extends City Hall Closure and Suspension of Non-Essential Inspections

For immediate release, January 12, 2020Elgin Extends City Hall Closure and Suspension of Non-Essential Inspections  City of Elgin extends prior mitigation actions until February 8 Elgin, IL - The City of Elgin is limiting interactions with the public by extending the closure of City Hall and suspending non-essential inspections until Monday, February 8. This action follows Governor Pritzker's executive order extending statewide Tier 3 mitigations through Saturday, February 6.  "The City has

Fallout Widens After Mobbing of US Capitol, Job Losses Mount, Walgreens Exceeds Earnings Expectation

Fallout Widens After Mobbing of US Capitol, Job Losses Mount, Walgreens Exceeds Earnings ExpectationsWhat You Need to Know to Start Your Day Walgreens reported strong earnings from pharmacy sales in the quarter ended Nov. 30, just before U.S. jobs losses mounted in part because of the pandemic. (Getty) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Fallout Widens From Mobbing of US Capitol The fallout is spreading in the wake of supporters of President Trump mobbing the U.S. Capitol last week. Marriott International

Weekend Articles of Interest

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty ImagesREAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE  10 Must Reads for the CRE Industry Today    NMHC’s first rent payment tracker numbers for 2021 show that 76.6 percent of renters had paid full or partial rent by January 6. Before Trump supporters turned violent at the Capitol they had been providing a boost to local hotel occupancies, reports Bisnow. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry. WMRE Staff NMHC Rent Payment Tracker Finds 76.6 Percent of

$275 Million Provided to Businesses Through Business Interruption (BIG) Grants

Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) The Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program was developed by Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly to provide $580 million in economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG – the largest program of its kind in the nation - leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. The BIG program consisted of $290 million for child care providers and $290 million

Bed Bath & Beyond Plans 42 More Store Closings by End of February

Bed Bath & Beyond Plans 42 More Store Closings by End of FebruaryRetailer Prepares National Expansion of New Store Design Being Tested in Houston Bed Bath & Beyond has remodeled 10 stores in the Houston area and will begin rolling out the new design in other locations across the nation. (Bed Bath & Beyond) By Linda Moss CoStar News  Bed Bath & Beyond plans to close 42 brick-and-mortar sites by the end of February and is preparing to remodel 150 stores this year as part of its real estate strategy

Interesting National Real Estate News

REAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE11 Must Reads for the CRE Industry (Jan. 8, 2021)   Vacant Sears stores might become COVID-19 vaccination sites, reports the Wall Street Journal. Strapped for funds, New York State might legalize marijuana this year, according to The New York Times. These are among today’s must reads from around the commercial real estate industry. WMRE Staff U.S. Disaster Costs Doubled in 2020, Reflecting Costs of Climate Change “Hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters across the United States

Local Girl Scouts Launch Initial Cookie Orders January 6–30, 2021!

Northern Illinois – Local Girl Scouts have set-up their cookie websites and been busy marketing their products and selling Girl Scout Cookies online since December 14, 2020, for the Early Bird Online Only part of the annual Girl Scout Cookie Program! Now that 2021 is here, girls may choose to take cookie orders safely in-person from January 6–30, as they create new ways to connect with customers and offer contactless ordering and delivery door-to-door!  This year’s delicious cookie lineup features

PPP Applications Reopen January 11 with New Guidance

SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New GuidanceWASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced today that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The

New Laws for Illinois for 2021 from Lavelle Law

              A Summary of NEW LAWS in 2020 and BeyondBecause of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a slow year for the Illinois General Assembly. Most of the new laws for 2021 are modified existing statutes that are meant to provide provisions related to the pandemic. Listed below are some new laws that may have a significant impact on our clients.    REMOTE WITNESSING AND NOTORIZATION (SB 2135/PA 101-0640) Legislation

Starship Travel Welcomes 2021 and 35 Yers of Making Dreams Come True!

January 2021        Find out what Starship Travel is up to!    Welcome, 2021! Starship Travel is wishing everyone a Happy New Year- we hope to see many more faces in the office in 2021, and many more beautiful destinations! Read on to see what we have been up to and find out how destinations are changing for our safety.     Visit our Website           Our Favorites from 2020  Though this year was unlike any other, Starship Travel managed

Pritzker Administration Targets $520 Million Corporate Tax Loopholes in Advance of Lame Duck Session

Decoupling from Federal Tax Law Changes Made Will Preserve More than $500 Million in State Revenue  Expansion of EDGE, River’s EDGE and High Impact Business Tax Credits to be Delayed for $20 Million in SavingsCHICAGO — Due to the budget crisis caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker is freezing the implementation of a new set of state business tax credits and calling for a decoupling of Illinois tax law from recently enacted federal business tax changes that would cost Illinois in

Family Video, the Midwestern Rental Chain That Outlasted Blockbuster, Closes All 250 Stores

Family Video, the Midwestern Rental Chain That Outlasted Blockbuster, Closes All 250 StoresExecutives Attribute Decision to COVID-19, Lack of New Film Releases Family Video leases 3,000 square feet at 609 Pennsylvania Ave. E in Warren, Pennsylvania. (CoStar) By Cara Smith-Tenta CoStar News  Family Video, the last prominent national video rental chain, said it's permanently closing all its brick-and-mortar stores as a result of the challenges brought by the pandemic. The 42-year-old company, which

Sun Belt States Benefit From Migration Trends in Pandemic

Sun Belt States Benefit From Migration Trends in PandemicFirst US Census Data on Population Trends in Outbreak Also Shows States Relying on Immigration Lose Population Idaho was the only state to outperform its 10-year annual growth rate average by more than 50 basis points. (Getty Images) By David Kahn and Sam Tenenbaum CoStar Analytics  The U.S. Census Bureau's latest population growth estimates by state, an important indicator for commercial real estate demand, provides the first granular look at

In Sign of Retail's Future, Tuesday Morning, Chuck E. Cheese Parent Exit Bankruptcy With Less Proper

In Sign of Retail's Future, Tuesday Morning, Chuck E. Cheese Parent Exit Bankruptcy With Less PropertyRetail Operators Shed Leases, Debt to Become More Efficient A sign advertises take-out pizza on the exterior of a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in June in Pinole, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) By Candace Carlisle CoStar News  Two national retail and entertainment brands the pandemic pushed into bankruptcy emerged from Chapter 11 after months of reorganizing and shedding real estate,

Real Estate News

Grant Faint/The Image Bank/Getty ImagesREAL ESTATE>CRE WIRE  14 Must Reads for the CRE Industry Today   The Wall Street Journal looks at how apartment REITs that focus on major U.S. cities might perform in 2021. The owners of Mall of America have modified the property’s mortgage and are now current on the loan, according to CNBC. WMRE Staff City Apartment REITs Await the Return to the Office “Shares of real-estate investment trusts that are big owners of rental apartments in New York, San Francisco

We Are Growing – Plum & Company, P.A. Joined Mueller

Effective January 1, 2021, Plum & Company, CPAs, P.A., a certified public accounting firm headquartered in Sarasota, Florida has been acquired by Chicago area based firm, Mueller & Co., LLP. Plum & Company will operate under the Mueller name and continue to serve clients at their respective Florida address. Plum & Company is a leading firm in the Sarasota area, focused on providing business advisory and tax services. “Our goal in doing business together is to provide increased depth and expertise to our

Gov. Pritzker Announces the Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan, Lowers Vaccine Age to 65

Gov. Pritzker Announces the Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan, Lowers Vaccine Age to 65Phase 1B Follows ACIP Guidelines, But Prioritizes Equity and Protects Most Vulnerable Illinoisans by Lowering Vaccine Age to 65 from 75; Vaccinations for Expanded Phase Will Begin When Phase 1A is Substantially Complete CHICAGO – Building on guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Illinois Department of Public Health

Hoping for a Reverse of 2020

Hoping for a Reverse of 2020 “For last year’s words belong to last year’s languageAnd next year’s words await another voice”-T.S. EliotWe wrote a lot of words last year. Words about COVID and lost jobs and recession. Hopefully most of those will be words left in last year.If we had to make one prediction about 2021, it would be that more real estate will be used. After a year of uncertainties, we feel comfortable saying that, and it should be just that: a comfort. We’ll take the easy shots so we can get on

OTI-Office of Trade & Investment

    Illinois Office of Trade & Investment (OTI)    Dear Illinois Exporters:  The Office of Trade & Investment (OTI) continues to offer Illinois businesses virtual services to support export promotion and international sales growth. OTI’s team of Chicago-based international trade specialists and our six foreign trade offices in: Belgium, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, and Mexico are ready to support

Applebee's is Testing it First Drive-thru Location

The Texarkana Applebee's unit’s new drive-thru window is scheduled to open early this year.PROPERTY TYPES>RETAILApplebee’s Is Testing its First Drive-thru Location   A franchise operator is retrofitting an existing location in Texas that could serve as a potential prototype for future brand designs. Nation's Restaurant News An Applebee’s franchise operator is retrofitting a location in Texarkana, Texas, with a drive-thru pickup window that the franchisor hopes will provide insights for future store

Eight Ways the Pandemic Changed Commercial Real Estate

Eight Ways the Pandemic Changed Commercial Real EstateThe Big Question Now: Which Trends Stick? People dine in social-distancing bubble tents at the Cafe Du Soleil restaurant on the Upper West Side as New York City imposes restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus. (Noam Galai/Getty Images) By Katie Burke CoStar News  The coronavirus pandemic has forced the commercial real estate market into a series of seismic shifts, accelerating some trends and bringing others to a complete halt. It wasn't

Investors, Developers Cash In on Amazon’s Insatiable Expansion

Investors, Developers Cash In on Amazon’s Insatiable ExpansionSales of Industrial Properties Leased to E-Commerce Giant Top $3 Billion for Second Year in a Row Transwestern Development built and leased a distribution center to Amazon at 6885 Commercial Drive in Springfield, Virginia. In June, it sold the property for $52.75 million. (Transwestern) By Mark Heschmeyer CoStar News  The so-called Amazon effect, the shrewd influence the e-commerce giant has had on countless aspects of business because of

Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Kane County This Month

Mobile COVID-19 Testing in Kane County This Month January 4, 2021 – The Kane County Health Department (KCHD) announced today that a mobile testing unit managed by the Illinois Department of Public Health will be in Kane County this month to provide COVID-19 tests to the community. Saturday, January 16 Hampshire High School, 1600 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire 60140 Sunday, January 17 Elgin Sports Complex, 709 Sports Way, Elgin 60123 Saturday, January 23 Dundee Crown High School, 1500 Kings Rd.,

Congress Passes $900 Billion Pandemic Relief Bill; Illinois Supreme Court Issues New Order for Eviction Cases

CoStar Predicts: US Economy Returns to Growth Mode China, Korea and Japan to Lead Global Expansion

CoStar Predicts: US Economy Returns to Growth ModeChina, Korea and Japan to Lead Global Expansion By Randyl Drummer CoStar News  U.S. gross domestic product, the key measure of economic growth, could return to levels it experienced before the coronavirus pandemic by the end of next year, though it is expected to be surpassed by growth in Asia. If the United States can widely distribute vaccines by next spring and avoid new rounds of lockdowns, the economy is expected to pick up as landlords and business

Congress Gets Coronavirus Aid Deal, Wawa Opens First Drive-Thru, Dick’s Adds Same-Day Delivery

Congress Gets Coronavirus Aid Deal, Wawa Opens First Drive-Thru, Dick’s Adds Same-Day DeliveryWhat You Need to Know to Start Your Day Dick's Sporting Goods has partnered with Instacart to for same-day delivery from select stores such as the one pictured in Alpharetta, Georgia. (CoStar) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Congress Reaches Coronavirus Aid Deal Congress has reached a deal for $900 billion in new coronavirus aid, ending several months of wrangling that had Republicans and Democrats at

A Look Back on the Year

 A Look Back on the Year That Broke the Charts “That’s the hard part about risk. Try as you might, it’s very hard to predict where it might come from. And especially when it might pop up.” –Robert Calhoun & Matt Powers, "How to Spot the Next Market Avalanche," Jan. 6, 2020What a year. We can say with some certainty that it will be studied for decades to come. The spread of the coronavirus and our response to it — large-scale lockdowns and social distancing — shook the economy at a pace and scale nobody has

U.S. Commercial Service Trade Events

Illinois Trade Events and Opportunities  Happy Holidays! Look for more exporting resources in 2021!   Wishing you a happy holiday season! We would like to thank all of our Illinois companies for your continued work in 2020. We are very thankful for your continued collaboration and partnership. We look forward to working with you in 2021!   If you have any questions, please connect with us.      US Commercial Service Operating Status MapOpportunities &

Pritzker Administration Provides $10 Million in Community Revitalization Grants

Pritzker Administration Provides $10 Million in Community Revitalization Grants Strong Communities Program Will Assist 68 Municipalities, Counties and Land Banks in Affordable Housing Creation and Community Development EffortsCHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board today approved $10 million in funding to support affordable housing and community revitalization efforts across the state. Awarded under the new Strong Communities Program (SCP), the initiative will provide funding to

Chicago Office Building Touts Anti COVID-19 Features

Chicago Office Building Touts Anti COVID-19 FeaturesOffice Uses Medical-Grade Plasma and Blue Light Technology (CoStar) By Lauren Shanesy LoopNet  With COVID-19 dictating the future of office needs nationwide, one developer hopes to attract tenants with a building that puts coronavirus health and safety at the core of the design.(CoStar) At 2017 N. Mendell St. in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, local firm Baker Development Corp. rehabbed a century-old former industrial building into a

Coronavirus Aid Talks Head Toward Deadline, FedEx Revenues Fly High

Coronavirus Aid Talks Head Toward Deadline, FedEx Revenues Fly High, Home Depot Fined for Lead PaintWhat You Need to Know to Start Your Day Home Depot was fined for hiring contractors that mishandled lead paint in home renovations. (Getty) By Richard Lawson CoStar News Coronavirus Aid Talks Head Toward Deadline U.S. jobless claims rose for the second consecutive week, creating more impetus for Congress to reach a deal for a new aid package. Republicans and Democrats in Congress are in a dead sprint

Statewide Unemployment Rate and Jobs Decline in November

Statewide Unemployment Rate and Jobs Decline in November SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.5 percentage point to 6.9 percent, while nonfarm payrolls lost -20,000 jobs in November, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The October monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -1,100 to +7,000 jobs. The October unemployment rate was

AT&T December News

As this year draws to a close, I find myself grateful for so many things. Frontline healthcare workers and first responders helping people through the pandemic.Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it in a browser.        Eileen MitchellPresident AT&T Illinois and Great Lakes States   Dear Friend:  As this year draws to a close, I find myself grateful for so many things. Frontline healthcare workers and first responders helping people through the

New Statewide Network to Deploy Computer Devices for Low-Income Residents Across the Illinois Announ

    New Statewide Network to Deploy Computer Devices for Low-Income Residents Across the Illinois Announced        Governor JB Pritzker announced a first-of-its-kind initiative in Illinois to expand digital access for low-income households throughout the state. Through a unique collaboration with PC’s for People, a national nonprofit providing refurbished devices, Cook County, and numerous other community partners, the State of Illinois will stand up a statewide network to deploy refurbished

Sears, Kmart Parent Seen Taking Big-Box Stores National as Vaccination Sites

Sears, Kmart Parent Seen Taking Big-Box Stores National as Vaccination SitesTransformco Signs Short-Term Agreements for New Jersey Officials to Use Vacant Big-Box Sites Essex County, New Jersey, has struck six-month leases with Transformco for a former Kmart at the West Orange Plaza in West Orange as well as a large empty Sears store at the Livingston Mall in Livingston. (Linda Moss/CoStar) By Linda Moss CoStar News  The parent of Sears and Kmart is now leasing out one vacant store of each brand to

Despite Sluggish Transaction Volume, Few Signs Of Distress In US Office Market

Despite Sluggish Transaction Volume, Few Signs Of Distress In US Office MarketInvestors Remain Cautious, Focusing on Deals for Properties Least Impacted by the Pandemic The sale of McDonald’s new headquarters in Chicago's popular Fulton Market area underscores office investors' renewed focus in the current environment on high-credit tenants signed to long-term leases. (CoStar) By Nancy Muscatello CoStar Advisory Services  The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown continue to disrupt

Costco Bets on Brick-and-Mortar for Long-Term Growth As Online Sales Surge

Costco Bets on Brick-and-Mortar for Long-Term Growth As Online Sales SurgeCEO Says $1.50 Hot Dogs, $4.99 Rotisserie Chickens Are Magnets for Foot Traffic Costco's store foot traffic has picked up in the past three months. (Getty Images) By Jennifer Waters CoStar News  While retailers across the United States experiment with new store formats and install pickup areas for digital orders, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek is looking at a simpler lure to bring shoppers into retail property once COVID-19

More U.S. Homeowners Seek to Delay Mortgage Payments

Maremagnum/Corbis/Getty ImagesFINANCE & INVESTMENT>DISTRESSED  More U.S. Homeowners Seek to Delay Mortgage PaymentsIn the first week of December, the proportion of mortgage borrowers that sought forbearance rose to its highest level since August. Bloomberg    In the first week of December, the proportion of mortgage borrowers that started seeking forbearance relief rose to its highest level since August, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. And call volume at the companies that collect

Elgin Covid Response Fund Releases an Additional $50,000 in Financial Assistance

 Elgin Covid Response Fund Releases an Additional $50,000 in Financial Assistance             ECRF has now distributed $200,000 in direct cash assistance to Elgin residents in needElgin, IL— The Elgin Covid Response Fund (ECRF) will grant an additional $50,000 to Centro De Información and the YWCA of Elgin for direct cash assistance to those Elgin residents in need. The $50,000 was contributed to ECRF by the United Way Metro Chicago (formally

HOLIDAY PARTIES at the HAIGHT

Holiday Party promotion available now through January 2021!

Wedding/Baby Shower Promotion at the Haight

Wedding/Baby Shower promotion running now through February 2021!

Randall Over 90 Update Sept 15

     Randall Over 90 UpdateThe Kane County Division of Transportation (KDOT) has been coordinating with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) during the Randall Over 90 study.  One new development from this coordination: All parties agree that the project can benefit from a transition from a feasibility study to a Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) strategy.    FHWA developed the PEL

CHASE is Hiring!

Employment Opportunities at Chase Elgin Credit Card Service Center 2500 Westfield Dr. Elgin, IL 60124 Are you ready to start a career at Chase? Submit your application on our website today!www.chase.com/careers200028578 -Specialist I - Collections - Elgin, IL  We now have full-time opportunities in the Collection’s Group. Our Collections group creates and delivers the right solutions to our customers to resolve account delinquency, directly impacting the risk of loss to the Bank.  We are looking for

EAC's Business Review Newsletter for March 2020

 EAC's Business Review Newsletter for February 2020  

EAC's Business Review Newsletter for February 2020

 EAC's Business Review Newsletter for February 2020

EAC'S Business Review Newsletter for January 2020

Welcome New Chamber Members!

Welcome to these new Chamber members in January!   Culver's of Elgin Ross Thomas 1175 N. McLean Boulevard Elgin IL 60123 OPENING SOON!!www.culvers.com Food & Beverages/Restaurants   H.B. Fuller Lesandro Gonzalez 1575 Executive Drive Elgin IL 60123 (847) 841-7002www.hbfuller.com Industrial/Adhesive – Manufacturer   Innerspire, Inc Nate Lindquist 164 Division Street, Suite 406 Elgin IL 60120 (904) 385-9017www.TheMinimalistCEO.com Business Services/Consulting   Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers,