PEORIA – More than 40 small businesses across the district State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) represents were awarded over $1.1 million in million in Back to Business grant funding, thanks to legislative measures supported by Koehler and other members of the General Assembly.
“Our small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Koehler said. “They incurred losses and stared down uncertain futures, but never stopped serving our community.”
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity selects grantees, and the grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan. The DCEO has dispersed $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses across Illinois who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 were awarded to 44 small businesses in the 46th district. The funding will help the businesses recoup losses from the past two years and continue to keep their doors open to the community.
“Keeping our small businesses alive and well is critical to our communities and our local economy,” Koehler said. “This funding will help our businesses keep their doors open and become even stronger than before.”
Grants will continue to be awarded statewide on a rolling basis. More information about the B2B program, as well as a full list of grantees, is available on the DCEO’s website.
