PEORIA, Ill. — The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council (GPEDC) is out in the community trying to help businesses with new grant money available from the State of Illinois.
Illinois launched the Back to Business Grant and started accepting applications on Aug. 18 to help small businesses who suffered revenue losses between 2019 and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
$250 million is available, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. The eligibility for the program is very broad and most businesses with $20 million or less in annual revenue are qualified, according to GPEDC.
GPEDC has deployed “Community Navigators” with the help of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
Community Navigators have been out in the community making businesses aware of grants available to assist with revenue losses related to the pandemic.
GPEDC says Community Navigators have already helped dozens of businesses in the area apply for a grant.
Small businesses wanting to learn more about the Back to Business Grant can visit the GPEDC website and view eligibility on the State of Illinois website.
