“There is $250 million available to hard-hit businesses, so please take advantage of this free assistance," Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), said. | Courtesy Photo
“There is $250 million available to hard-hit businesses, so please take advantage of this free assistance," Don DeWitte (R-St. Charles), said. | Courtesy Photo
Illinois Back to Business grants? Republican state Sen. Don DeWitte says he's got those in his district covered.
“Attention small business owners, I am offering hands-on assistance with getting your application in order,” DeWitte posted on Facebook. “There is $250 million available to hard-hit businesses, so please take advantage of this free assistance.”
The funds are being made available as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s economic recovery strategy and all the money is earmarked to go to small businesses owners hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the $250 million in funding being made available, $100 million is earmarked for Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs), $30 million for Arts and Entertainment businesses that didn’t receive Shuttered Venue Operators grants, $25 million for restaurants and taverns that didn’t receive the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, $45 for hotels and $25 million for businesses that didn’t receive a BIG grant due to exhaustion of funds
Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover expenses ranging from staff to overhead costs.
The B2B grant program is an extension of last year's Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program, an equity-focused business relief program that steered in the neighborhood of $290 million to 9,000 businesses in 98 communities across Illinois.
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