Algonquin-LITH Chamber Of Commerce To Receive $21K In Grants

ALGONQUIN AND LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Calling small businesses the "backbone of the state's growing economy," Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, recently announced $5 million in grant funding will be doled out to chambers of commerce across the state, including the Algonquin Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce.

The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce. will specifically receive $20,927.27 through the Back to Business Local Chambers program. According to officials, B2B Chambers provides additional support for local chambers of commerce that experienced negative economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. A list of B2B Local Chambers grantees can be found here.
Eligible chambers have an annual revenue of $1 million or less.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our growing economy," Pritzker said. "That's why my administration is providing support to local chambers of commerce through the B2B Local Chambers grant program. The 151 grantees announced today will amplify our efforts to help small businesses who may have been overlooked by previous pandemic aid efforts access the necessary marketing and development resources they need to thrive."
The B2B Local Chambers funding will be used by chambers to market and develop localities, provide small businesses with professional development, and more to support small businesses and entrepreneurs while bolstering economic development, according to Pritzker's office.

Grant award amounts were determined by total annual revenue declines between 2019 and 2020, as reflected on tax returns. All eligible applicants received a grant as long as the chamber of commerce met eligibility requirements and submitted proper documentation and attestations.
Officials said eligible chambers of commerce included organizations of businesses and professionals "dedicated to improving the economic climate and business development of the community in which they are located that experienced a negative economic impact from the COVID-19 pandemic."