Pritzker Administration Awards $14
Million in Emergency Grants to More than 700 Small Bars,
Restaurants, and Hotels
Bars and Restaurants Awardees Received
$14,000 on Average, Hotels $30,000 through Hospitality Emergency
Grant Program
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[July 02, 2020]
JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in partnership with Accion
Serving Illinois and Indiana, awarded $14 million in small grants to
over 700 small bars, restaurants, and hotels. 12,000 businesses
applied for funding and grantees were selected via a random lottery
conducted by Accion.
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Bars and restaurants received an average grant of
$14,000 while hotels received an average grant of $30,000. The
grants can be used to support working capital - like payroll and
rent – job training, and technology to support shifts in operations
including increased use of carry out and delivery.
“While the financial hardships related to this virus have permeated
just about every industry, we know that our hospitality businesses
have experienced some of the most significant hardships,” said
Governor JB Pritzker. “Funding from the Hospitality Emergency Grant
Program will help ease the burdens businesses in every corner of the
state are facing and keep their operations up and running.
Awards for the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program were drawn from
existing DCEO funds budgeted for tourism promotion, job training,
and general operations. More than 450 small bars and restaurants
received an average grant of roughly $14,000 while more than 250
small hotels received an average grant of $30,000. Applications were
accepted by Accion from March 25 through April 1st and the lottery
to select grantees was held from April 4th to April 7th.
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“With hospitality businesses among the first hit hard by the
economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, this initiative has
delivered much needed working capital to the smallest of hospitality
businesses to allow them to survive and continue to make payroll in
the opening weeks of this crisis,” said Erin Guthrie, Director of
DCEO, “The funds granted through this program will serve as a
critical stopgap for these businesses as many of them seek federal
assistance.”
The awarded businesses are located across the state of Illinois.
Approximately one-third of the businesses receiving grants are
located outside of Cook and the collar counties.
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“Small businesses throughout Illinois are struggling
right now, and hospitality businesses are among the very worst hit
by this crisis,” said Brad McConnell, CEO of Accion Serving Illinois
and Indiana. “Creating a large and equitable grant program overnight
has been challenging, but we are honored be working with the
Governor’s team to provide over $14M to small businesses in need.”
“The Illinois Restaurant Association appreciates DCEO's program to
provide immediate relief for the smallest independent restaurants
and bars," said Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois
Restaurant Association. "These grants will provide aid to the
smallest operations in the hospitality segment, and every dollar
helps during this time of crisis. We applaud this effort and will
continue to advocate at the federal level for broad-based economic
relief for the state's 25,000+ eating and drinking establishments
and their employees."
“Illinois’ hotel community is grateful for Governor Pritzker and
DCEO’s appreciation for the hotel community’s role as an economic
engine to the state’s economy,” said Michael Jacobson, President and
CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association. “Today’s grant
awards are the first step in many to help get the state’s
hospitality industry back on their feet and growing again once
COVID-19 is behind us.”
DCEO continues to identify new resources and services for businesses
impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including resources under
the federal CARES Act including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL),
EIDL Emergency Advance, and the Paycheck Protection Program. A list
of resources available to small businesses is published and updated
on
DCEO’s website.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |