Agencies
Services
Back to Business (B2B) Grants for Creative Arts, Hotels & Restaurants
Applications are now closed.
The Back to Business (B2B) grant program provides recovery grants for businesses in the hardest-hit industries. Through the state’s B2B and Business Interruption Grant (BIG) Programs, DCEO has provided more than $535 million to more than 15,000 businesses since the start of the pandemic.
Eligible restaurants, hotels and creative arts businesses are eligible to apply for $175 million in available grant funding as part of our efforts to support ongoing recovery in hard-hit industries. All applicants will receive a grant as long as they meet eligibility requirements, submit proper documentation and attestations required by the program.
The program design for B2B Restaurants, B2B Hotels, and B2B Arts, respectively, are based on legislation which established the Restaurant Employment and Stabilization Grant Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1100), Hotel Jobs Recovery Grant Program (20 ILCS 605/605-1095), and the Illinois Creative Recovery Grant program (30 ILCS 709/40).
Applications will be open between April 5 and May 10, 2023. DCEO encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with program eligibility requirements and reach out to local community navigators with any questions.
You can find the list of awardees below:
Community Navigator Support Information:
Over 100 community navigators are available across the state to provide support and to help navigate the application process. To identify Navigator Support, please view the following:
*NOTE* All services and support provided by DCEO & partner organizations are offered free of charge.
Eligibility & Program Information
A brief summary of program information can be found here:
| B2B Restaurants | B2B Hotels | B2B Creative Arts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funding Available | $50 million | $75 million | $50 million |
| Award Range | $5,000-$50,000 | Up to $1,500 per room | $5,000-$250,000 |
| Impact of Receiving Prior Award | Ineligible if business received any prior relief funding from B2B, BIG, RRF, EHG, or more than 10K in local funding Businesses who did not receive that relief but did receive PPP or EIDL are eligible |
Amount of state or local grants received deducted from overall award amount | Grant based only on 2021 losses for businesses that received prior state relief funding (BIG or B2B) |
| Spending Guidelines | Flexible spending to support losses | 80% for payroll related costs; 20% flexible spending | Flexible spending to support losses |
| Examples of Eligible Businesses (detailed eligibility requirements can be found in the documents below) |
|
|
|
Additional Program Information:
One Pagers: Topline program information
Eligibility Guidelines Documents: Detailed eligibility information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Detailed Q&A on the program and application process.
Upcoming Webinars
In addition to webinars and outreach hosted by community navigators, DCEO will be hosting statewide information kick-off sessions on the dates below:
Statewide DCEO English-Language Webinars:
Friday, March 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. (Recording)
- Thursday, March 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
- Thursday, April 6, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday April 20, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Spanish-Language Webinar:
- Subvenciones de regreso a los negocios para artes creativas, hoteles y restaurantes (Back2Business - B2B) En español
Partnership with NCRC CDF
DCEO has selected NCRC CDF as program administrator in order to help process a high volume of applications in a timely manner. NCRC CDF is a nonprofit community development financial institution and a mission-based lender working to help bridge the racial wealth divide in America's underserved communities. NCRC CDF will host the application, support with application review, and provide technical assistance and support on application and portal questions.
Application Information:
The application is open from April 5 to May 10, 2023 through our partners at NCRC CDF.