Apply for the Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant Program!
The SBAC advocates for the small business community in numerous ways, including by disseminating important information about programs that will support small businesses. The Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant program will provide grants to certain small businesses still struggling to recover from the pandemic.
This $25.5 million program will give $10,000 grants, as well as advising and coaching sessions, to eligible small businesses in Cook County.
Small Businesses looking to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Be located in Cook County, Illinois
- Have less than 20 employees
- Have operated and conducted business before March 2020
- Have experienced a decrease in revenue or gross receipts, increased costs, or greater financial insecurity due to COVID
Priority will be given to the following groups of small businesses
- Microbusinesses with under 10 employees
- Businesses located in suburban Cook County
- Businesses in the hardest hit sectors: Accommodation, Hospitality, & Food, Arts & Entertainment, Childcare & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Transportation & Warehousing.
- Historically excluded businesses: those owned by Black-, Latino(a)-, other people of color-, Women-, LGBQT+, Veterans-, and Persons with a Disability
Applications for the Cook County Small Business Source Grow Grant are open until October 31.
Find out more information at the Cook County website: https://cookcountysmallbiz.org/growgrant/
Welcome Our New BOD Member!
Welcome Sherry Jursa! We’re happy to welcome Sherry Jursa from PNC‘s Business Banking wing to the Empower Board. Sherry holds an MBA from Northern Illinois University and a BA from North Central College in Political Science. With over 15 years’ experience in banking, Sherry is a proven professional who strives to provide excellence while meeting…
Small Business Mayoral Forum
SPONSORS Fifth Third Bank Saul Ewing Arnstein Lehr Inland Bank Interprenet Signature Bank Lexitas Korey Richardson Open One Solutions Byline DoorDash RockyTop Insperity SpeedPro Chicago Loop CVS
Legislation to Support Local Chambers Passes
Many chambers of commerce were devastated by the pandemic. However, this did not stop them from providing crucial support to local businesses. The SBAC is thrilled to report that Illinois politicians have provided 5 million dollars to support the recovery of chambers of commerce in Illinois. The SBAC has been working to procure this funding…
