The Emerald South South Economic Development Collaporative, on Thursday, launched a program aimed at allowing small companies to negotiate collectively on better conditions for sellers such as waste.
The joint purchase network of companies and institutions allows access to the advantages usually dedicated to the larger looks that reduce operational and administrative costs. The program initially provides waste transfer services, but Emerald South expects to add offers such as insurance, security and natural gas in the coming months.
The program is free to join and available at the city level, but Emerald South focuses on increasing awareness in Chicago societies that are historically deficient resource.
Valery Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, said in a press statement that the joint purchase network helps to “combine people to cancel the security force, create real economic opportunities, and raise companies and institutions that are vital for the future of South Sayed.”
The network organizations so far include Silver Room and Restaurant Bronzeville Winary; Hyde Park Chemistry. Social influence and the Housing Organization at reasonable prices of the Renaissance; The Peach Restaurant, the Obama Presidential Cooking Partner through ROMES JOY CATERING.
The Obama Foundation also plans to join the network to access services at the Obama Presidential Center, which opens in 2026.
“As a small company owner on the southern side, it may be difficult to compete with large companies when it comes to negotiating contracts. The joint purchasing network gives us a real seat on the table-it is a change in cutting costs and ensuring that we get the best possible deal,” said Eric Williams, owner of Silver Room and Bronzeville Winary.
“The idea that small companies can only connect efforts and provide money together. I am excited to see waste that has already been included, which I think will make a difference in a minimum,” said Oje Eugeston, CEO of the Cooperative Renaissance Company in Douglas.
The joint purchase network is managed in partnership with the Community Procurement Alliance based on Washington, DC, a network of cooperatives. It runs programs similar to waste with more than six states, including Maryland and Massachusetts. On the national level, the community purchase coalition is 75 organizations that participate in waste programs.
“The savings vary by the organization, but they often see 10 % -20 % savings, with some seeing up to 50 %. However, organizations sometimes join without savings due to the conditions of the preventive contract and the strength of the group,” said Jian Foreman, CEO of Emerald South Economy Development, which started in 2017.
Email South plans to start with the goal of 25 members in the program, with the aim of reaching 100. The waste transport service will begin in July, although the timelines are flexible because organizations may have to wait until the current seller's contracts end.
By joining the network, Chicago institutions can negotiate better deals and contracts; Reducing operating costs through wholesale purchase discounts; Emrald South said that the low administrative work through a program specifically designed for a market in Chicago.
“The management of sellers and pricing contracts has taken time to actually develop my work,” said Yasmine James, the co -owner of Vendimax, a mobile phone booth company in Chicago. “With the joint purchase network, I can finally reach prices and just support – and I know that I am part of something that helps raise the entire society.”
