Illinois is opening seven new Small Business Development Centers to help small businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. | Russ Allison Loar/Wikimedia Commons
Illinois is opening seven new Small Business Development Centers to help small businesses struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. | Russ Allison Loar/Wikimedia Commons
Illinois is launching seven new Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) around the state as businesses struggle to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new centers will join 42 existing locations, giving Illinois one of the nation’s largest SBDC networks, a release issued by the State said.
“With many Illinois businesses currently facing unprecedented burdens as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest, our SBDC community partners can be a lifeline for businesses working to reopen safely,” Michael Negron, acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said in the release.
Five of the seven centers are in Chicago. Others are located in Elgin and Joliet.
The State and the U.S. Small Business Administration are investing $6.4 million in the new centers, with another $5.1 million coming from partner organizations.
The centers provide grants, advice, training, and other services for startups and existing small businesses; including help in developing business plans and finding access to capital.
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