Southern Illinois News

In an April 6 Facebook post, Rep. David Friess (R-Red Bud) shared information on the Illinois Back to Business (B2B) grants.

“The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced $175 million in Back to Business Grants for restaurants, hotels, and creative arts organizations will soon be available,” he wrote. “The application period opened on April 5 and will run through May 10."

He provided a link for information on how to apply.

The B2B grant program for creative arts, hotels and restaurants is part of an effort by Illinois' Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) that also includes state’s Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program. Between these two, since the start of the pandemic, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses.

"2022 was a record-breaking year for economic development in Illinois, from record state support for small businesses, to private companies committing to invest more than $1 billion in Illinois communities through our signature incentive program," DCEO Director Sylvia Garcia said in a release. "Under Governor Pritzker's leadership, Illinois has received notable company investments while providing record support for Illinois communities. Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business and looking ahead to 2023, DCEO is excited to build upon this progress by continuing to strengthen our communities while bolstering our business climate."

Of the $175 million, there is $50 million available for restaurants, $75 million for hotels and $50 million for creative arts. Of the three industries, hotels is the one that has limits on how the money must be spent: 80% of the funds must be spent on payroll and the remaining 20% is flexible.

Applications are accepted through May 10. Applications are reviewed as submitted through May 15, and the grantees should receive notification of awards and funding disbursement in June and July.

Friess is a resident of Red Bud, and has lived in Illinois for most of his life. He was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force, and later for Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia. He represents the 115th District.