U.S. Rep. Newman Secures $80,000 in Federal Funding for Local Small Business Incubator as part of House Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of this year’s community project funding from the House Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Representative Marie Newman (D-IL-03) announced today that she has secured $80,000 in federal funding for a local business incubator to ensure that they can continue to offer aid and support to Chicago’s small businesses, especially those severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon passage in Congress, the funding would be used to support 36Squared Business Incubator, one of the only 'all abilities' business incubators in the country that works with entrepreneurs to help grow their small businesses. 

“As a former small business owner myself, I know that our local entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of our economy. That is why it is critical that we support local incubators like 36Squared because they not only lift up our neighborhood businesses but also our entire community,” said Congresswoman Newman. “I’m thrilled to announce that we have secured critical funding to support Chicago’s 36Squared Business Incubator so that they can continue to ensure IL-03’s mom-and-pop retailers, family-owned stores and other small businesses thrive as we all recover from this pandemic. I look forward to this legislation passing in the coming months, and with it, the much-needed federal funding that will bring about positive impacts in our communities.” 

Located in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood, 36Squared offers onsite training, classes, and one-to-one counseling to help Chicagoland entrepreneurs of all abilities grow their businesses. Additionally, the business incubator actively works to invite, include, and recruit people with disabilities in all their programs and services to ensure their business community is inclusive and reflective of the city. Through the House Appropriations bill, the secured funding would be used to support 36Squared’s small business incubator services for fiscal year 2022. 

“We were thrilled when Congressman Newman called to inform us that our Community Project Funding request had been approved,” said Andrew Fogaty, Executive Director of 36Squared Business Incubator.  “These funds will allow us to expand and continue our services to entrepreneurs of all abilities in Illinois. Thank you so much, Congresswoman Newman!” 

The funding request was approved by the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government. In addition to this request, Congresswoman Newman has submitted nine other community projects for funding consideration, which will be determined in the coming weeks. All submissions must designate federal funding for specific projects that demonstrate a positive benefit to the community and are a good use of taxpayer funds. Find a full list of Congresswoman Newman’s Community Project Funding Requests here. 

###