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!
SBAC’s Elliot Richardson on WGN Radio
SBAC’s Elliot Richardson talks with Anna Davlantes on WGN Radio about the impact the pandemic has had on the small business community. There has never been a more important time to stand with small business than right now! Listen to the whole 8-minute interview here: Listen to the Interview Here
Restart Act
THE RESTART ACT The RESTART Act provides a new loan program to fund six (6) months of payroll and fixed operating expenses. Some, or the entirety of the loan, is eligible for forgiveness. The amount that is not forgiven is to be repaid over seven years with favorable interest rates. The loan is 100% guaranteed…
R.I.S.E. Act – A Word from RISE Fest Performers
COVID19 has had a devastating impact on many gig workers and independent contractors. During our SBAC Rise Fest, we had a chance to speak candidly with our local performers on how they’ve been affected by the pandemic. They explain the loss in their community, in their work, and how their jobs have shifted. Their stories…
