Photo: Saga Communications
Lawmakers examining how the state is responding to the pandemic are giving mixed reviews.
Cara Bader, chief of staff of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, runs down some of the numbers of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program for a Senate committee:
“Forty percent of awards went to businesses owned by people of color, and more than eighty percent of awards went to the very smallest of businesses: those with revenues of less than $1 million a year. Owing to both unique impacts and prolonged effects of the pandemic, nearly half of the grant awards – or $133 million -were provided to restaurants and taverns alone.”
Quad City Virtual Events Have Started Teaching “Life Skills”
As I get older I have come to realize that there is a lot I don t know when it comes to basic life skills. I still don t fully understand how taxes work. Thankfully now that more things have become virtual more places are starting virtual educational events for everyone.
If you are looking to learn more about particular skills, there may be an event coming up right here in the Quad Cities.
EP!C Host Homes Virtual Lunch and Learn -
Thursday, February 11, or March 11th
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Get ready to learn more about how EP!C is providing natural living options for people with disabilities through our Host Homes program.
Business celebrates Black History Month
The McDonough County Voice
The Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce just sent me an email with a list of four webinars that will be offered this month to recognize some of the 132,000 Black businesses in Illinois. These webinars have been developed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Central Management Services, and the Chicago Urban League.
Here s a list of dates and topics:
Thursday, February 11 at 10 a.m., Celebrating the History of the Black Business will feature interviews with entrepreneurs telling how they got started.
Thursday, February 18 at 2 p.m., Black Access to Capital will feature bankers discussing how to get access to mortgage loans, small business loans, development capital, and government procurement.
Webinar to teach small businesses how to secure financial aid
Updated 2/8/2021 11:11 AM
Small businesses facing financial losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are invited to join a webinar sponsored by State Senator Laura Murphy at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, to get help applying for financial aid. With the vaccine distribution process now underway, there s a light at the end of the tunnel, but many small businesses are still feeling the pressure of the pandemic, Murphy said. There s still time to apply for funding to help make ends meet.
Murphy has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Regional Economic Development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to host the webinar. State Senators Cristina Castro and Ann Gillespie are co-hosts of the event.