• COVID-19 Resources

  • As a result of increasing positivity rates Champaign County is now under tier 1 mitigations.

    Please CLICK HERE to find out what the mitigations entail. 

     

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    State of Illinois COVID-19 Response

    Restore Illinois Plan

     

  • COVID Testing PSA

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  • Champaign County Safe

    The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with a coalition of local organizations and municipalities to help Champaign County businesses as we all progress through the phases of the Restore Illinois plan.

    Together, we have developed a Re-opening Toolkit that compiles best practices from a variety of industries, government organizations and resource centers. The practices featured follow the State of Illinois’ Restore Illinois plan. These practices highlight communication strategies for various types of businesses and provide details on how to prepare workspaces, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, PPE tutorials, and general information on COVID-19. This information will assist industries ranging from agriculture to childcare to manufacturing and hospitality – all with specific guidelines on employee and customer protection, sanitation standards, social distancing, and much more.

    An accompanying website Champaign County Safe has also been launched and will serve as an information and resource hub regarding COVID-19 rules, PPE resources, guidelines and best practices.

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  • Application Links to Disaster Related Funding Application Links to Disaster Related Funding

    LOCAL

    Champaign - Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant:

    • Grants up to $15,000 that have been impacted by the pandemic. Priority will be given to businesses who have not received other state or federal grants related to COVID-19. Applications will be accepted in-person or online beginning Wednesday June 24, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
    • To find submission and application materials, please click here.
    • The City also released a video detailing more.

     

    STATE

    The Business Interruption Grant Program:

    • Round 2 Application materials are open now.
    • This round of funding will provide $220 million in funds to small businesses hit by the pandemic.
    • BIG funding aims to provide relief for all type of small businesses with a focus on those located downstate or in disproportionately impacted areas.
    • Furthermore, round 2 funding will emphasize heavily impacted industries including performing arts venues, event spaces and hotels. A full list of eligibility criteria and grant information can be found at the link below.

     

    Rebuild Distressed Communities Program:  

    • More details expected in October.


    Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program

    • Multi-part application detailed here.
    • Small businesses in some communities (some, included Champaign and Urbana, are excluded due to program guidelines may be eligible for a sixty-day grant of working capital up to $25,000. A business must have 50 employees or less.

     

    Illinois Small Business COVID-19 Relief Program

    • Applications open now for financial institutions.
    • The Illinois Treasurer’s office is partnering with approved financial institutions to provide loans to businesses that would otherwise not qualify. State funds are deposited to financial institutions for a one-year term. These funds provide loans to small businesses to provide working capital to bridge this season.

     

    Small Business Layoff Aversion Emergency Assistance

    • Application can be found here.
    • Emergency Assistance funding available to support small businesses facing the financial impacts from the COVID-19 national health emergency.
    • Grant funds are now available to support your business with a number of layoff aversion activities.
    • Funds must be used to mitigate layoffs and adhere to social distancing provisions established by federal and state public health entities.
    • This grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

     

     

     

    FEDERAL
     

     

    Economic Injury Disaster Loans

    • Applications open now.
    • This SBA programs provides small businesses with working capital up to $2 million. Applicants will receive an advance of $1,000 per employee up to $10,000 regardless of whether the loan closes.

     

    Employee Retention Credit

    • The Employee Retention Credit is a fully refundable tax credit for some employers that is equal to 50 percent of qualified wages up to $10,000. The credit is available to businesses who have not received a Paycheck Protection Loan, have had operations partially or fully suspended and experienced a decline in gross receipts by more than 50 percent.
    • Other criteria and regulations apply.
    • Credit is taken against the employer's share of social security tax, but excess is refundable under normal procedures.

     

    Paycheck Protection Program

    • Program is now closed.

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    Main Street Lending Program

    • The Federal Reserve established this program with $600 billion as a result of the CARES Act.
    • Loans of varying amounts available to businesses that meet a variety of criteria.
    • Loans must be applied for through approved lenders.
    • The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has prepared a preparation guide.

     

    Other Financial or Funding Resources: 

     

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