Back2Business Grants
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced additional funding through the B2B initiative to help businesses in hard-hit industries. Learn if you qualify for additional funding.
In this round, eligible restaurants, hotels, and creative arts businesses are eligible to apply for $175 million in available grant funding as part of our efforts to support ongoing recovery in hard-hit industries. All applicants will receive a grant if they meet eligibility requirements and submit proper documentation and attestations required by the program. The application window for this grant is very small.
Applications are open between April 5 and May 10.
There are different criteria for each of the three grants.
Application Information
More information can be found on the DCEO web site.
Application links can be found here.
Or contact Andrea Schultz Winter (awinter@greaterfreeport.com) or Bill Clow (bclow@greaterfreeport.com) to determine if your restaurant, hotel, or creative arts business will qualify for a B2B grant. You can also call the Partnership at 815-233-1350.
A webinar is being held on Wednesday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Those who wish to participate will need to RSVP to RSVP@sgop.ilga.gov by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2. They should include their name, business name, email address, mailing address and phone number. Upon their RSVP, they will receive a link to the webinar.
Timeline of Grant
- March 22: CBA Grant Announced
- March 30: First Webinar of Information
- April 5: Grant Application Opens
- April 6: Second Webinar of Information
- May 10: Grant Application Closes
Key Industries
Calendar Feed
Blog Feed
The Importance of Upper-Floor Redevelopment in Downtown Areas September 20, 2024 downtown, Freeport, greater freeport partnership, Stephenson County In many historic downtowns, the upper floors of commercial buildings often remain unused or underutilized. However, transforming these spaces into modern housing units is a vital step toward revitalizing urban centers and driving economic growth. For communities like Freeport, upper-floor redevelopment not only preserves historic architecture but also brings much-needed housing into the heart of the city. Creating residential spaces […]
Looking Ahead September 4, 2024 As we step into a new quarter, we are excited to share the impactful initiatives that are shaping the economic landscape of Freeport and Stephenson County. Our commitment to fostering a thriving community through economic growth, business development, and workforce enhancement continues to drive our efforts. The Greater Freeport Partnership remains dedicated to cultivating a dynamic economic ecosystem which ensures […]
A Picture’s Worth Thousands of Impressions August 20, 2024 We are in the thick of the tourism promotion season and nothing speaks to our potential visitors more than great photos and videos. The Partnership has gone to great lengths this season to capitalize on the beautiful spaces and friendly faces in Freeport and Stephenson County to showcase all there is to see and do. In July, visual images from […]
Enterprise Zone is Key to Spurring New Residential Development August 15, 2024 Residential development is a key component of Freeport’s revitalization strategy, and the enterprise zone is an important tool to drive that development. The Northwest Illinois Enterprise Zone, which includes parts of Freeport, offers significant incentives such as: Sales tax exemptions on building materials Property tax abatement Waivers on certain permits These benefits are designed to attract new businesses and encourage […]