Hoffman Encourages Businesses to Apply for Funding Through $220 Million Relief Program

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – To provide a much-needed lifeline to small businesses in the Metro East, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is urging businesses to apply for additional funding available through a new round of the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program.

“Businesses in the Metro East are struggling to stay afloat after months of temporary closures and limitations, like the restriction on indoor dining at restaurants,” said Hoffman. “To help support business owners, the state is investing an additional $220 million into the Business Interruption Grant program to help businesses recover from a loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 crisis and boost our economy.”

Hoffman is encouraging Metro East business owners to apply for funding through a second round of the BIG program. The funding can be used to help businesses cover expenses like payroll, rent, utilities and other operational costs. Applications for the second round of the BIG program go live on Thursday, Sept. 17 and can be submitted here. Priority for grant processing will be awarded to businesses in disproportionately impacted areas, like those in the Metro East that have been negatively impacted by increased mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“One of my top priorities as a legislator is to advocate for business owners in our community and grow our economy, especially as we face these difficult, unprecedented circumstances,” continued Hoffman. “Businesses in our region have been hit the hardest, so I strongly encourage small businesses to apply for funding in the new round of the BIG program as soon as possible.”