Program Empowers Businesses Through Joint Purchasing

Ghian Foreman, president and CEO of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative. Photo provided by Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative.
Ghian Foreman, president and CEO of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative. Photo provided by Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative.

Program Empowers Businesses Through Joint Purchasing

By Tia Carol Jones

Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative has launched a program that will allow organizations and small businesses to take advantage of economic development opportunities. The Shared Purchasing Network will enable them to save money and get better contract terms.

“At The Obama Foundation, we believe meaningful economic development starts with listening to and partnering with local communities,” Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, said in a release. “By working alongside Emerald South to launch the Shared Purchasing Network, we’re helping bring people together to unlock collective power, create real economic opportunities, and uplift the businesses and organizations that are vital to the South Side’s future.”

Ghian Foreman, president and CEO of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, said the organization was created as a result of strong community leaders, the University of Chicago, the city of Chicago, and the Obama Foundation, coming together to ensure the communities saw economic benefit from the Obama Presidential Center.

Foreman said that there was a concerted effort to work within the existing fabric and existing work being done by community organizations. Foreman found Community Purchasing Alliance, based in Washington, DC, which works with charter schools, churches and nonprofits, to save money on things people purchase every day. Foreman said Community Purchasing Alliance’s model was scalable and transferrable and could benefit community organizations and small businesses in the city of Chicago.

With the Shared Purchasing Network, businesses can join forces to secure better deals, reduce operational costs through bulk purchasing goods, improve contract terms and conditions and shrink operational costs by reducing administrative burdens.

“The Shared Purchasing Network is a powerful tool for leveling the playing field for small businesses and building wealth in our communities,” Rhonda McFarland, executive director of the Quad Communities Development Corporation, said in a release. “By coming together, our small business owners can finally access the kinds of cost savings and contract advantages typically reserved for larger companies. QCDC is proud to partner with Emerald South and empower communities with this opportunity, helping small businesses reinvest those savings into growth, jobs, and long-term sustainability.”

Small businesses and organizations can sign up at the website sharedpurchasingnetwork.org and fill out an in-take form. The first service available is waste hauling and in the coming months, services including insurance, security and natural gas will be available. Foreman said what is made available is driven by what Emerald South and its partners heard was needed by organizations and small businesses. He said it will continue to expand.

Foreman said the Shared Purchasing Network will act as a procurement department to allow small businesses to run their business and not worry about procurement of goods and services. He said he implemented a smaller version of this program at an organization where he previously worked. He said he found it was considered a success when the businesses using the program told other businesses about the program, so they could utilize it and reap the benefits of it.

“The impact it has on communities is how I think we will ultimately see success,” he said. He added that the Shared Purchasing Network enables communities the opportunity to work together, instead of waiting for outside forces to come in and impact businesses.

For more information about the Shared Purchasing Network, visit sharedpurchasingnetwork.org.


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