Greater Aurora small business owners offered assistance with COVID-19 grant offering up to $150K
Now through Oct. 13, 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.
"Aurora's small businesses are the backbone of our local economy," said Aurora Deputy Mayor Guillermo Trujillo. "We must support them as we endure the lasting effects of the pandemic. The Back to Business grant does just that-acting as a lifeline that helps these entrepreneurs remain steadfast pillars of our community. I encourage all small business owners who meet the criteria of eligibility to reach out to the Women's Business Development Center and get started with their application process today."
Greater Aurora business owners can get one-on-one application help for the Back to Business grant from the Greater Aurora Community Navigator, provided by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) and its partner agencies, Invest Aurora, Quad County Urban League (QCUL), the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee (SBDC Waubonsee), and the SEIU Member Education and Training Center (METC).
"The pandemic is still severely impacting 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 provide technical assistance to the small business owners going through the Back to Business application process."
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 at www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/B2B.aspx or sign up for one-on-one advising here.
About the Greater Aurora Community Navigator
The Greater Aurora Community Navigator brings together a diverse group of organizations uniquely positioned to support the community. Focused on equity, growth, and business development, support for Back to Business Grants in the greater Aurora area is provided by the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) and its partner agencies: Invest Aurora, Quad County Urban League (QCUL), the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Waubonsee (SBDC Waubonsee), and the SEIU Member Education and Training Center (METC).
These agencies will provide direct technical assistance to potential grant recipients, educating them about the program and supporting them throughout the application process.
About The Women's Business Development Center
The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is a 501(c)(3) nationally recognized leader in the field of women's economic development. The organization was founded in 1986 to provide programs and services to support and accelerate women's business ownership and strengthen the impact of women on the economy by creating jobs, fueling economic growth, and building strong communities.