Illinois Launches Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz Program
The application window for the B2B NewBiz program opens on November 30, 2023, and will remain open until January 11, 2024.
The Small Business Advocacy Council has advocated for a program that provides grant funding to businesses that launched in 2020 (prior to the pandemic) and in 2020 and 2021 after the pandemic began. Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have launched the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program, which allocates $25 million for grants to businesses that launched in 2020 and 2021 in certain industries, or businesses started by people that became unemployed during the pandemic.
Details about the grant program, including eligibility and grant sizes, can be found here.
The SBAC will continue to provide important information about funding opportunities for small businesses.
Check out more small business grant opportunities here!
Legalization of Sandwich Signs to Help Local Businesses
After persistent support from the SBAC to legalize sandwich signs, in June 2021, Chicago Alderman voted to adopt a new policy on sandwich signs, which will go into effect NEXT WEEK. On March 1, 2022, Chicago small businesses can officially use “A-frame” or sandwich signs on the sidewalk to drive foot traffic into their stores.…
REVITALIZATION IN THE NEWS: Two Locally Owned Grocery Stores Underway on West Side
This comes after decades of disinvestment. After decades of disinvestment, two new grocery stores are being built on Chicago’s West Side – something residents have long awaited as other grocery store chains close up shop. The SBAC and our robust collation of partners are committed to revitalizing, empowering, and connecting local business districts across…
OpEd: Crains Chicago Business
February 08, 2022 11:34 AM A Labor Shortage Creates an Opportunity to Help the Homeless Illinois politicians should engage those leading the fight against homelessness and also engage small-business advocates to explore how to prepare homeless individuals for a return to the workforce. NELI VAZQUEZ ROWLAND ELLIOT RICHARDSON Read the FULL OpEd HERE SPONSORS…
