Illinois

BIG Awards To Assist 43 Businesses In Greater Peoria

WCBU | By WCBU

Published August 13, 2020 at 4:02 PM CDT

Gov. JB Pritzker announces Business Interruption Grants during an appearance Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020 at the YMCA in Bloomington.

Forty-three Tri-County businesses financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will benefit from an Illinois emergency grant program.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the first round of Business Interruption Grant (BIG) wards this week, totaling $46 million distributed to more than 2,650 businesses. Peoria-area businesses will receive a total of $700,000.

Appearing in Bloomington on Thursday, Pritzker said diverse ownership factored in when choosing recipients.

“Over $24 million of this first round of grants is going to organizations in disproportionately impacted areas,” Pritzker said. “And half of the total businesses receiving awards in this round are minority-owned.”

Businesses received either $10,000 or $20,000 to help with working capital expenses, such as payroll, rent, utilities, equipment and pandemic-related costs such as personal protective equipment, training, and new technology. The Tri-County businesses receiving money were mostly bars and restaurants, salons and fitness centers.

The full BIG program will total $636 million in awards to businesses in more than 400 communities statewide.

Pritzker acknowledged Peoria state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth in helping make the BIG awards possible. Gordon-Booth was unable to attend Thursday’s event.

“I want to thank her for her work ensuring that the BIG program operated with equity at its core,” Pritzker said.

Tri-County BIG Award recipients

PEORIA COUNTY

$10,000 – Peoria: Five Senses Spa, Salon and Barbershop; Alter Ego Spalon; Angel Nails; Kabab-G; Power Zone; Johnny Vig’s Lounge; Atagucci’s; West Town Tap; G+T Maintenance; Prestige Barbershop (Northwoods Mall); The Chef and The Baker; Dunlap: Smart Styles/SuperCuts; Brimfield: Jen’s Place.

$20,000 – Peoria: Childers Eatery (War Memorial); Childers Eatery (University); Adams Street Café; Kickback on Fulton; Anytime Fitness; Jimmy John’s (two locations); Peoria Elite Gymnastics Academy; Brasky’s; Pizza Ranch; Sushigawa; Training Domain; Dac’s Smokehouse; Family Medical Equipment and Supply; Panaderia Ortiz; Mattress For Less; Racks on the Rocks; West Peoria: Shelton’s.

TAZEWELL COUNTY

$10,000 – East Peoria: Firehouse Pizza; Washington: A Cut Above.

$20,000 – East Peoria: East Port Gallery; 5th Quarter Sports Bar and Pizzeria; Morton: Plank Pilates Studio; Pizza Ranch; Gold’s Gym; Washington: Art at the Bodega; Tremont: g.y.m., inc.; Pekin: Mings of Pekin; Marquette Heights: Kona Ice of Peoria.

WOODFORD COUNTY

$20,000 – Goodfield: The Barn III Dinner Theatre.

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