What is Bridges?
Bridges is a committee of the Elgin Development Group committed to creating a thriving ecosystem for Black- and Brown-owned businesses. Bridges vision is a vibrant Elgin with thriving and celebrated businesses and entrepreneurs that reflect the cultural, ethnic, and racial diversity of our city and embrace our community assets and resources.
Bridges mission is to support directed access, advocacy/marketing platforms, and shared learning and priorities created by and for BIPOC communities in collaboration with the Elgin Development Group, a division of the Elgin Area Chamber. Bridges will advance the presence and health of small businesses and local entrepreneurs and ensure shared and inclusive leadership in our community’s economic growth, intergenerational prosperity, and wealth building.
Bridges achieves its vision and mission by:
- Facilitate and support small business and entrepreneurial showcase opportunities through which expertise and experiences will be shared and business ideas or phased business development can be explored.
- Facilitate and support opportunities for getting to the “next level” in business development, including platforms for understanding how to access and get to each next step that is easily accessible (especially for BIPOC communities that may experience “stopping points” in different ways).
- Facilitate and support opportunities for understanding zoning practices and, where deemed appropriate, advocate for changes in zoning practices that would support BIPOC business/business models (e.g., conditional use, etc.)
- Support and share resources for “asking the right questions” (need help but not always sure of what is needed or HOW to ask for assistance because of a lack of experience in the area)
- Hold forums for sharing wealth of available area and regional resources that account for fear, need for reassurance, accessible “entry points”
- Re-imagine or re-market networking opportunities so that purpose, need, and applicability are understood and/or are more directly targeted.
- Advocate for fair and equitable lending to Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
Join Us in Shaping a Vibrant Elgin!
We are committed to creating a thriving and inclusive business community that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of our city.
Showcase Your Business
Elevate Your Business
Advocate for Change
Ask the Right Questions
Network with Purpose
Be a part of the movement towards economic growth, intergenerational prosperity, and inclusive leadership in Elgin. Together, we can build a future where every business thrives.