State sets up small business COVID navigator program
Jan. 28, 2021
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SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is directing $3.4 million toward expanding community navigator outreach programs and technical assistance to help businesses take advantage of financial assistance available through the renewed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other federal programs set to launch in the coming weeks.
The plans build on the community navigator outreach model piloted during the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) that awarded $275 million to nearly 9,000 small businesses across the state.
“I’ve directed my administration to provide community navigators through our Small Business Centers to work directly with our small business owners, helping them access the dollars they deserve – with a special focus on businesses who haven’t received aid from the state, because we know the need is still so great,” Pritzker said. “Even as we focus on vaccine administration and public health mitigations, we must also build toward economic recovery by helping job creators survive and thrive as we work to overcome this pandemic.”