Back To Business Grant Program Announced

Back To Business Grant Program Announced

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Back To Business Grant Program Announced​

B2B Back to Business Logo

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announce $175 million available for Back to Business (B2B)

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced on March 21, 2023, that $175 million is available in grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) program. Following state recovery for businesses totaling nearly $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for the hardest-hit sectors, including restaurants (B2B Restaurants), hotels (B2B Hotels), and businesses or organizations in the creative arts sector (B2B Arts).

Applications will be open April 5-May 10, 2023. DCEO encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with program eligibility requirements and reach out to local community navigators with any questions. All eligibility and program information is available here.

Additionally, DCEO will host statewide information kick-off webinar sessions in the next few weeks in both English and Spanish. Dates and registration links are also available on the same site here.

The application portal will open on Wednesday, April 5 with a link provided at the same site here.

State Grants Available for Restaurants Through Back to Business (B2B) Program - Two guys and girl having lunch in restaurant
B2B Grants for hotels, couple checking in at hotel desk.
B2B grants for Creative Arts Businesses - People at art fundraiser

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New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

The Will County CED showcased the first, “CED After 3” event on February 22nd. Thank you to the many investors who braved the rain and cold to join us! We appreciate the support of Wight & Co as our inaugural sponsor and the Joliet Area Historical Museum for their wonderful hospitality and venue.

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New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

In the news

New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

Attendees in room with CED After 3 event sign in foreground

The Will County CED showcased the first, “CED After 3” event on February 22nd. Thank you to the many investors who braved the rain and cold to join us! We appreciate the support of Wight & Co as our inaugural sponsor and the Joliet Area Historical Museum for their wonderful hospitality and venue.

CED After 3 is a new series of events offered “after 3pm” to investors, to not only engage with others in an alternative setting from our usual group of events, but to also support organizations around the county. Our inaugural CED After 3 showcased the Joliet Area Historical Museum and highlighted the impact of tourism on our county as well as the importance of having amenities for our residents to enjoy.

Each CED After 3 will be held between 3 and 6pm and will highlight sites around the county with a hope of bringing our group to enjoy new places and experiences while supporting our local establishments.

We are incredibly excited for the enthusiasm expressed by all that attended and look forward to hosting the next CED After 3 this summer!

CED After 3 Photo Gallery

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New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

The Will County CED showcased the first, “CED After 3” event on February 22nd. Thank you to the many investors who braved the rain and cold to join us! We appreciate the support of Wight & Co as our inaugural sponsor and the Joliet Area Historical Museum for their wonderful hospitality and venue.

read more

Ruth Colby named citizen of the year by New Lenox Chamber of Commerce

Ruth Colby named citizen of the year by New Lenox Chamber of Commerce

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Ruth Colby named Citizen of the Year by New Lenox Chamber of Commerce

Congratulations to Ruth Colby Citizen of the Year

CED Investors, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and staff extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Ruth Colby recently named Citizen of the Year by the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Ruth serves as the 2022 and 2023 Chair of the Will County Center for Economic Development Board of Directors.

The New Lenox Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual in our community that has a passion for “good work” and serves as an inspiration to others. Ruth Colby embodies those qualifications through her leadership, business acumen, and compassion. As President and CEO of Silver Cross Hospital, she has been an integral part of making New Lenox a true healthcare destination. We are so fortunate to have Silver Cross Hospital, an award-winning institution, in our community; but beyond that, we are thankful to have Ruth Colby at the helm.

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New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

New CED Investor Event Hits the Mark!

The Will County CED showcased the first, “CED After 3” event on February 22nd. Thank you to the many investors who braved the rain and cold to join us! We appreciate the support of Wight & Co as our inaugural sponsor and the Joliet Area Historical Museum for their wonderful hospitality and venue.

read more

PART Project Launches to Address Regional Transit

PART Project Launches to Address Regional Transit

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PART Project Launches to Address Regional Transit

PART Project Launches to Address Regional Transit

Planning for a stronger and more financially secure transit system for Chicagoland is underway with the first meeting of a diverse group of stakeholders from the business, community, environmental, labor, and civic sectors along with the public.

The outcome will be a set of state legislative recommendations that ensure the long-term financial viability of a comprehensive and coordinated regional public transportation system, as required by state law enacted last year.

The Will County CED’s Doug Pryor is honored to be part of the newly formed PART (Plan of Action for Regional Transit) steering committee, and he looks forward to participating in this critical transportation planning for the region’s continued economic growth.

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New Hospital Partnership Launches – Includes Bolingbrook Location

New Hospital Partnership Launches – Includes Bolingbrook Location

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New Hospital Partnership Launches – Includes Bolingbrook Location

U Chicago Advent Hospital Bolingbrook, IL

The University of Chicago Medicine and AdventHealth have closed on a transaction to form a joint venture called UChicago Medicine AdventHealth, which will combine the expertise and resources of both organizations to bring academic medicine to the western suburbs.

The two organizations announced a definitive agreement to affiliate in September 2022, with plans for UChicago Medicine to acquire a controlling interest in AdventHealth’s Great Lakes Region, which includes its four Illinois hospitals in Bolingbrook, Glendale Heights, Hinsdale and La Grange along with a network of nearly 50 physicians’ offices and outpatient locations.

The AdventHealth Great Lakes Region’s facilities will be co-branded as UChicago Medicine AdventHealth to build upon the complementary strengths of the two organizations, with UChicago Medicine’s national reputation as an academic health system and AdventHealth’s focus on delivering outstanding medical care in community settings.

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