GLENVIEW – To celebrate National Women’s Small Business Month and support the North Shore small business community, State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview) invites women small business owners to join “All in for Women,” a series of webinars from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) about navigating the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.
“The BIG program is a great resource to help small businesses bounce back from pandemic-related losses,” said Fine. “In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month, I want to offer our women-owned businesses the assistance they need to take advantage of this recovery opportunity.”
At the “All in for Women” webinars, business owners will be able to connect with DCEO officials to learn more about the BIG program, eligibility requirements and the application process. Technical assistance support will also be provided for the last 30 minutes of every session.
The Business Interruption Grant program is a $636 million program created to provide economic relief for small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19.
In the second round of grants, $220 million will be allocated to provide relief for all types of small businesses, including women-owned small businesses. Funding can be used to help businesses with working capital expenses, including payroll costs, rent, utilities and other operational costs.
The webinar will be offered in four sessions, and registration is required:
- Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m.
Other resources, including webinars geared toward women in manufacturing, Latina business owners and more, are available on the DCEO Office of Minority Economic Empowerment website.