Pritzker Announces $25 Million
Available in B2B Grants for New Businesses
New businesses launched in 2020 or 2021
eligible for up to $30,000 in grants; Applications open on November
30
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[November 17, 2023]
Governor
JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $25 million in available grant
funding through the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program. Following
state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the
latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is
designed to provide additional support for businesses in hard-hit
sectors who launched during the pandemic. Businesses that launched
in 2020 or 2021 and remain in operation have faced significant
impacts during the pandemic, but they have not been eligible for
other federal or state relief programming since they were not
operational prior to the pandemic.
To provide hands-on support and raise awareness about the program,
the State has mobilized a network of nearly 100 community navigators
across Illinois. Applicants are encouraged to visit b2bnewbiz.com to
learn more and apply.
“Small business owners contribute to our thriving
state economy every day, often taking on enormous risk to do so—but
no business owner could have been prepared for the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These grants will
support those who faced down unprecedented circumstances and met
them with innovation and entrepreneurial spirit who may have been
left behind in previous aid efforts.”
“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy,
driving our state forward. B2B NewBiz grants will ensure Illinois'
newer small businesses can continue to thrive, especially those most
affected during the pandemic,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
“I'm proud of our hardworking small business owners for making
Illinois the best place to live, work and do business.”
Applications are open from November 30 through January 11, 2024, and
awards are expected to be made several weeks after the deadline
date. All eligible applicants will receive a grant as long as the
business meets eligibility requirements and submits proper
documentation and attestations.
“Thousands of courageous entrepreneurs in Illinois launched
businesses in the height of the pandemic,” said DCEO Director
Kristin Richards. “B2B NewBiz makes funding available to new small
business owners who were ineligible for pandemic relief based on
their start date and supports small businesses across the state that
are the heart of our economy.”
DCEO has enlisted a robust network of nearly 100 community
navigators to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance in
the hardest hit communities. Community navigators will be conducting
outreach, hosting webinars, and supporting prospective applicants to
prepare before the application opens on November 30. This is in
addition to available small business support available through
Illinois’ network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).
In order to manage a high volume of applications in a timely manner,
DCEO has enlisted a program administrator – Lendistry – to support
with application review, provide technical portal support for
applicants, manage the development of the application portal and
provide support in processing payments.
“We’re proud to partner with DCEO and the state of Illinois to help
small business owners who were brave enough to open up shop in the
middle of the biggest disruption our generation has seen,” said
Lendistry CEO Everett K. Sands. “Opening up while also taking on
extra expenses to keep customers and staff safe was costly in many
ways. My team and I applaud those entrepreneurs for supporting their
communities and are proud to deliver the support needed to help them
reach sustainable revenues and grow.”
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Eligibility, Application, and Awards
To qualify for the B2B NewBiz program, businesses must have launched
between January 2020 and December 2021 and be in an industry that
was particularly impacted by the pandemic (As outlined here), or a
business that was started by an individual or individuals that
became unemployed during the pandemic. Eligible funding amounts are
based on when the business was established and whether the business
is home-based or operating out of a “brick-and-mortar”
establishment:
Business
Start Date |
Brick-and-Mortar |
Home-based |
January to June, 2020 |
$30,000 |
$10,000 |
July to December, 2020 |
$20,000 |
$5,000 |
January to December, 2021 |
$10,000 |
N/A |
“Illinois’ small business community proved its
resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state of Illinois
is committed to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses through
their continued post-pandemic recovery efforts,” said Senate
Assistant Majority Leader Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “Through a
variety of resources and programs such as B2B NewBiz, the state is
spurring a positive business climate in every corner of Illinois.”
“Small businesses are the soul of Illinois, and through hard work
and dedication the last few years, new small business owners
contributed to Illinois’ growing economy,” said Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
(D-Naperville). “The State of Illinois’ B2B NewBiz program is
putting small business owners first and showing them why Illinois is
the best place to do business.”
“Existing business owners and entrepreneurs weren’t the only ones
who suffered during the pandemic – new business owners setting up
shop across Illinois faced an uphill battle yet persevered,” said
Rep. Kimberly DuBuclet (D-Chicago). “The B2B NewBiz program is
supporting Illinois’ resilient small business community while
bolstering the economy through continued job creation.”
In addition to webinars that will be hosted by
navigators, DCEO will be hosting statewide English-and
Spanish-language webinars.
Statewide DCEO English-Language Webinars
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 1:30 pm
Register here:https://illinois.webex.com/
weblink/register/r3f8f8257771bcc61a37
be9ff41e7cd76
Monday, November 27, 2023, 1:00 pm
Register here:
https://illinois.webex.com/
weblink/register/rc60baebe01dc2a56326
0207bde74984e
Statewide DCEO Spanish Webinar
miércoles, 29 de noviembre de 2023, 11:00 am
Registrar aquí:
https://illinois.webex.com/
weblink/register/r2a33a68345396c4d325
eb8b259f19a61
Since the onset of the pandemic, DCEO has allocated $1.5 billion in
pandemic-related support for businesses, including $693 million
through B2B and BIG, $899 million in Child Care Restoration Grants
(administered in partnership with DHS), $18.5 million in local CURE
funding specifically allocated to businesses, $14 million in
Emergency Hospitality Grants, and $3.5 million in BIG agriculture
grants.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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