New businesses launched in 2020 or 2021 eligible for up to $30,000 in grants; Applications open on November 30
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) release $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.”
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.
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.
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:
July to December 2020 $20,000 $5,000
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
o Register here: https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r3f8f8257771bcc61a37be9ff41e7cd 76
- Monday, November 27, 2023, 1:00 pm o Register here:
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Statewide DCEO Spanish Webinar
• miércoles, 29 de noviembre de 2023, 11:00 am
o Registrar aquí: https://illinois.webex.com/weblink/register/r2a33a68345396c4d325eb8b259f1 9a61
