Watch CBS News

Emanuel Touts Expansion Of Small Business Program

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two weeks before the election, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced $5 million in new funding has become available to help small businesses in Chicago.

The mayor said the Small Business Opportunity Center Program, which helps entrepreneurs try to get loans, will expand from three offices to eight. In addition, $5 million is available as loans for qualified small businesses.

"I know this comes as a rare shock: we're here to help; help you see your dreams through," he said.

Emanuel also said most services at the Small Business Center at City Hall would be available online by December, so business owners would not have to go downtown to file much of the paperwork required by the city.

"You'll be able – when you can't sleep at 11 o'clock at night – file whatever you need to do," he told small business owners on the South Side. "We've put everybody in training over there to see the small business owners that do come down as their client, their customer. The idea is to get you through the process, not to see how many times we can trip you up."

Emanuel some of the efforts were inspired by things he heard on the campaign trail.

Podcast

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.