Community networks are designed to bring mostly small, mid-size and entrepreneurial companies into the Chicago Waste to Profit Network. Each community network will involve between 30 and 60 entities. The first Community Network meeting was held on June 21 st , which supplied the opportunity for smaller businesses to discuss their needs and resources. This provided the initial bridging between the Innovation Network and the Community Network.

The members of the initial Community Network were selected based on a WTPN needs analysis survey conducted in the fall of 2006. The survey targeted companies in southland Chicago and the near west side of Chicago , aggregating a diverse group for participation in the June 21st community network meeting.

In addition to the emerging Community Network, other potential companies will be targeted as certain needs arise in order to create successful synergies. The companies are selected to match the interests of the region in both producer and receiver categories; also taking into account the needs of the large company participants. Successful synergies from the United Kingdom 's National Industrial Symbiosis Program (NISP), where similar industries are involved, are used to choose which enterprises are invited to participate.

Companies chosen to join community networks participate free of charge, except in the special case of where an anchor company decides to create an innovation network.