SSA61 Business District Program Administrator Announced
CHICAGO – The Board of Directors of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC) and the Commissioners of Special Service Area #61 (SSA), also known as Downtown Hyde Park Chicago, are pleased to welcome Brandon Evans as the new Program Administrator for the SSA#61, effective January 2020.
Evans brings a wealth of experience to his new role as a seasoned business development professional with over 13 years of experience. He is the former Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and is a former Director for the Rainbow PUSH Coalitions International Trade Bureau. He has been described as both passionate and intentional in his approach to working with businesses.
“After an extensive interview process with several highly qualified candidates, the SECC Board and Hiring Committee is pleased to bring Brandon on the team. His nonprofit experience, combined with business development experience working with small to mid-sized businesses, made him the ideal choice for steering the SSA into the new decade,” said Elvin Charity, Board President.
SSA #61 is a local tax district that funds expanded services and programs through a localized property tax levy within a specific footprint. Downtown Hyde Park Chicago includes only the areas contributing to the commercial tax levy, which is comprised of the 53rd and 55th Street corridors connected by Lake Park Avenue. SSA funded projects typically include but are not limited to: public way maintenance and beautification; district marketing; business retention/attraction; and other commercial and economic development initiatives. The SECC is the local non-profit Service Provider for SSA #61. SSA Commissioners oversee and recommend the annual services, budget, and Service Provider Agency to the City.
“The SSA #61 Commission is extremely pleased to be working with Brandon,” said George Rumsey, Chairman of the SSA #61 Downtown Hyde Park Chicago Commissioners. “In addition to his knowledge and experience, Brandon articulates a clear vision of how we can strengthen our local Hyde Park business community.”
Evans is a graduate of the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and currently serves as a Mentor to at-risk youth through the Mayors Mentoring Initiative on Chicago’s South Side.
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