Macon Reporter

Illinois businesses that were affected by COVID-19 can still apply for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

According to a news release, BIG is a $636 million program that provides economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19. BIG leverages federal funding provided by the CARES Act to help offset COVID-19 related losses for Illinois small businesses. 

Businesses can use the funding on working capital expenses such as rent, utilities, payroll and other operational costs.

The second round of applications for the program can be accessed on the DCEO website.

During this round, almost all nonprofits and businesses with less than $20 million annual revenue can apply for a portion of the $220 million available. The following businesses have set asides in funding and will be given priority, according to the release:

1. Heavily impacted industries ($60 million): businesses that have been nearly shut down such as event spaces, performing arts venues, museums, movie theaters, and other indoor and high contact recreational facilities.
2. Priority businesses apart from the industries above. These are businesses that were directly affected by regional mitigations implemented by the state or local governments (so far in Region 4 and 7); did not receive PPP or other forms of emergency aid; are independently owned retail, tourism or hospitality-related, and other hard-hit industries; have less than $5 million in annual revenue; and experienced revenue losses exceeding 50% since March.

In addition, two geographic factors will also be given priority: downstate businesses ($100 million) and disproportionately impacted areas ($70 million). 

For the detailed eligibility criteria, visit the BIG website.