Central Illinois businesses receive portions of ‘BIG’ grant to help with COVID-hardship

Posted on January 12, 2021
Dan Brady
State Rep. Dan Brady announced 36 businesses in his district would receive portions of the ‘BIG’ grant. 
(WJBC file photo)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Coronavirus relief is here for small businesses in Central Illinois as businesses will share a slice of state funding to help with COVID-19 hardships.

Dan Brady, State Rep. of the 105th District, said the funding is apart of the Business Interruption Grants (BIG Grants), administered by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

“The funding assistance goes on, and the challenge goes on for business; let’s hope by the end of this week we have some more good news for stability when it comes back to getting some businesses, restaurants, bars, open.”

Under Gov. Pritzker’s Tier 3 mitigations, no indoor dining is allowed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Bloomington Republican who spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller said the businesses in his district would share $2.3 million, which will focus on entertainment venues, restaurants and bars, and museums.

“These grants will help many businesses in our communities hang on,” Brady said in a news release.

In total, 36 businesses will receive funding in Brady’s district, representing portions of Bloomington-Normal and Livingston County.

A list of the businesses that received funding can be found here.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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