The Jersey County Business Association (JCBA), in partnership with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is working to help local businesses and not-for-profits access the $250 million made available through the new Back to Business (B2B) grant program, opened Aug. 18. Though the grant is available to businesses across the state, the JCBA is working hard to ensure that as many local businesses that are able to access this opportunity as possible, free of charge.
In order to better reach underserved businesses, the state has expanded the Community Navigator program, which provides local technical assistance to businesses. Grants will range from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations, staff, and overhead costs.
To apply for the B2B grant, businesses must include their federal 2019 and 2020 tax returns. If businesses have not yet filed their 2020 return, that must be completed before being eligible to apply for this grant. Businesses will also need to provide their business owner ID, a bank statement from April to Dec. 2020 reflecting their expenses, and their most recent bank statement. Anyone who receives a grant of more than $50,000 will also need a DUNS number.
The JCBA is here to provide technical assistance to any local business or not-for-profit that wishes to apply.
In September, the JCBA wil be hositng a number of office hours, meetings and webinars on the grant application process in towns across Jersey and Calhoun Counties. Flyers are available on the JCBA facebook page, where businesses can find details and a full list of dates.
The JCBA will be in the following areas in Calhoun County:
– Sept. 2: Brussels.
– Sept. 7: Kampsville.
– Sept. 8: Hardin
– TBA: Batchtown.
To learn more about the grant and keep updated on further programs and announcements from the State of Illinois, please like and follow the JCBA on Facebook and visit www.jcba-il.us/b2b.
For assistance, reach out to the JCBA at 618-639-5222, stop by the Jerseyville office or plan on attending one of the local meetings.
