- Published: 26 January 2022
CHICAGO – Thanks to support from State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) over $4 million in Back to Business grants were awarded to local businesses throughout the 5th District.
“As the pandemic continues, businesses are still in need of essential aid to keep them going,” Van Pelt said. “Businesses such as hotels, museums and restaurants have been some of the hardest hit by the effects of COVID-19.”
The latest wave of B2B grants prioritizes businesses most in need of support due to the pandemic, including hard hit sectors such as hotels, restaurants, arts and cultural organizations, barbershops and salons, dry cleaners, and fitness centers. It also makes allocations for disproportionately impacted areas and businesses who applied for Business Interruption Grants in 2021 but did not receive funding. On average, recipients of
B2B grants experienced revenue declines of 41% throughout the pandemic.
Since the program’s first round of grantees last September, 2,913 grants totaling more than $111 million have been provided to small businesses in over 300 cities across the state, with almost 80% of awards delivered to businesses in DIAs and hard-hit industries.
“Some of the communities I represent are disproportionately impacted areas who needed even greater assistance,” Van Pelt said. “I’m glad that so many businesses are finally getting a much needed boost toward recovery.”
Businesses will continue to be notified of their application status throughout the next few weeks until all the funds are exhausted. A list of grantees can be found here.
