Elevate is here as a resource to our Business Community:
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a devastating toll on businesses across the country, with many struggling to stay afloat amidst shutdowns and decreased demand. In an effort to support businesses in the hardest-hit industries, the state of Illinois has implemented the Back to Business (B2B) grant program, which provides recovery grants to eligible businesses.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has provided over $535 million in grants to more than 15,000 businesses through the B2B and Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Programs. Now, an additional $175 million in grant funding is available specifically for eligible restaurants, hotels, and creative arts businesses.
The B2B grant program is designed to provide support and aid in the ongoing recovery of these hard-hit industries. All eligible applicants who submit the necessary documentation and attestations will receive a grant, and there is no cap on the amount of funding a business can receive.
The program is broken down into three separate categories: B2B Restaurants, B2B Hotels, and B2B Arts. The program design for each category is based on legislation that established the Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program, the Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program, and the Illinois Creative Recovery Grant program.
Applications for the B2B grant program will be open from April 5 to May 10, 2023. DCEO is encouraging all eligible businesses to familiarize themselves with the program’s eligibility requirements and reach out to local community navigators with any questions or concerns.
The B2B grant program is a lifeline for businesses in the hardest-hit industries, providing much-needed support and funding for ongoing recovery efforts. Eligible restaurants, hotels, and creative arts businesses should take advantage of this opportunity and apply for grant funding before the May 10 deadline.
In addition to our webpage linked above, DCEO will be hosting statewide information kick-off sessions on the dates below:
- Statewide DCEO English-Language Webinars
- Friday, March 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, March 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, April 6, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
- Register here:
https://illinois.webex.com/illinois/k2/j.php?MTID=ta23ccf35e0f4dd0dc6d8037f87e014c1
- Statewide Spanish-Language Webinar:
- Subvenciones Back to Business (B2B por sus siglas en inglés) para restaurantes, hoteles, y empresas de artes creativas
- Jueves, 30 de marzo de 11:00 a.m.
- Registrese aqui https://bit.ly/ildceob2b