The City of Lake Forest is committed to business development. Through a variety of resources and the absence of a business license requirement, starting a business in the City is an easy process. The Business Development and Attraction Program provides personal outreach to the business community, targeting expansion and business needs and providing businesses with resources and information that facilitates their economic prosperity.

Services include:

Professional Business Consultations: Lake Forest partners with SCORE, a nationwide nonprofit organization. SCORE experts, current and retired business executives, offer individualized consultations to current and prospective entrepreneurs and business owners.

Business Visitation Program: One-on-one visitations enhance and strengthen the City’s relationship with current and prospective businesses by discussing individual business issues as well as growth, expansion, and long-term plans.

Business Watch Program: Business Watch is a crime prevention program offered free of charge that enlists the active participation of business owners in cooperation with law enforcement to prevent crime and promote community-oriented policing.

Business Seminars and Training Events: Seminars and training events offered include the New Business Reception, which provides new business owners with an overview of the City’s Business Development and Attraction Program and training workshops.

Business Information Packets: The City’s business information packet, provided to all new or prospective businesses, includes helpful information from numerous agencies that can assist new businesses.

Chamber of Commerce Partnership: The City has forged a partnership with the new Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce to cosponsor events and training for the business community. Topics of discussion include marketing tactics, increasing profitability, tax and legal issues, disaster preparedness, and tips for starting a new business.

Business Communications: Websites, e-newsletters, 24-hour online GovPopulous online request system, and a regular business newsletter all work to keep our business community well-informed.