State's Community Navigator Program Designed to Assist Small Business Recovery

A $9 million investment has been announced to expand the Community Navigator Outreach Program. The program is designed to help small businesses take advantage of economic recovery grant programs. Governor Pritzker announced the program, along with officials from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The expansion of the navigator outreach program leverages 13 organizations that will provide assistance to small businesses utilizing state and federal funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act.

The organizations involved in our area to assist small businesses include:

--the small business development corporation that serves Effingham, Cumberland and other counties in connection with the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation

--Effingham Regional Growth Alliance that serves Effingham, Coles and other counties

--Local Initiatives Support Corporation that serves Shelby, Cumberland, Coles and other counties

Alliance President and CEO Courtney Yockey said, "As a community navigator hub, we (the Alliance) will work with our regional partners to ensure that businesses in south central and southeastern Illinois are competitive in applying for state and federal financial assistance programs and other necessary resources needed to recover from the pandemic-induced recession."

Navigator partners will provide small businesses with direct assistance on applications, as well as language assistance, on-the-ground outreach, webinars, technical assistance sessions, and more.

Businesses seeking assistance can contact the Effingham Regional Growth Alliance, the DCEO webpage, or the First Stop hotline at 1-800-252-2923.