Today is the last day small business owners across the State of Illinois can apply for the Back to Business grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Funded through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), the grant offers $5,000 to $150,000 to help with operational losses, staffing, and costs associated with reopening.
Cook County business owners can get one-on-one technical assistance for the Back to Business grant through the Cook County Small Business Assistance program, provided by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) and multiple other partner agencies.
“The pandemic is still severely affecting Illinois’ small businesses, with amplified impacts on those which are women- and minority-owned,” said Emilia DiMenco, WBDC President and CEO. “The WBDC is proud to work with our partner agencies to support the small business owners applying for the Back to Business grant.”
Business owners who have yet to receive emergency funding and those who are in disproportionately impacted areas are prioritized, and the grant targets hardest-hit industries, such as salons, dry cleaners, childcare providers, and others.
Grant funds are limited and distributed as applications are approved. You can find out more about the Back to Business grant program here or sign up for one on one advising here.
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