×

State announces small business grant awards for local restaurants, hotels and arts

Oct 10, 2023 | 10:32 AM

October 10, 2023 – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced the conclusion of the Back to Business (B2B) Restaurants, Hotels and Arts program with $156 million provided in relief funds. Through these three programs, nearly 4,000 grants went to businesses in over 500 cities, towns and localities in 95 counties across the state.

In Macon County, the following grants were awarded:

Hotels

  • HAWTHORN SUITES DECATUR -$52,262
  • HAMPTON INN DECATUR SOUTHEAST- $49,682
  • SOY CITY MOTEL- $11,323
  • INTOWN MOTEL- $17,421
  • LAKEVIEW MOTEL- $21,776
  • DECATUR CONFERENCE CENTER & HOTEL-$161,141
  • AMERICA’S BEST VALUE INN- $52,262
  • D&G HOSPITALITY, LLC- $61,843
  • COMFORT INN & SUITES DECATUR -$70,553
  • MANGALMURTI OF ILL INC- $39,196
  • RAMADA LIMITED – $53,133
  • SANDY’S MOTEL- $20,034
  • USA INN-$40,520
  • HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON – $89,716
  • QUALITY INN -$47,907

Restaurants

  • BARGENTA-$5,000
  • EL CORRAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT-$50,000
  • GUADALAJARA-$50,000
  • MR JJ FISH AND CHICKEN-$50,000
  • LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL -$50,000
  • LINCOLN SQUARE TAVERN -$50,000
  • TACOS & TEQUILA EL CORRAL -$30,000
  • VARIETY LIQUORS-$10,000

Arts

  • ASHLEY RILEY -$5,000
  • CREATIVESOULS ENTERTAINMENT-$5,000
  • KIRKLAND FINE ARTS CENTER -$25,000
  • MILLIKIN‐DECATUR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – $10,000
  • MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY‐‐VESPERS/CHOIRS – $10,000
  • DECATUR AREA ARTS COUNCIL -$15,000
  • GALLERY 510 ART & FRAMING- $5000
    MID‐SUMMER MOON PRODUCTIONS – $5000

A list of all Illinois B2B grantees can be found here.

“Illinois’ small business are the backbone of our economy and a cornerstone of our pandemic recovery,” said Governor JB Pritzker.“Since day one, my administration has been committed to supporting every business in our state—ensuring that every business owner and entrepreneur has the opportunity to succeed. Across the state, the Back to Business program kept thousands of restaurants, hotels, and arts organizations open, protected thousands of jobs, and kept our communities thriving.”

“The Back to Business grants are a bridge for continued economic success as the hospitality and arts sectors recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “Restaurants, hotels, and the arts enliven our state’s economy. I’m thrilled this much-needed relief supports our hospitality businesses and the arts in our communities.”
B2B Arts and B2B Restaurants grant award amounts were determined based on a percentage of revenue declines, and funding for the B2B Hotels awards was allocated based on the number of rooms. Grants had an average award amount of $39,484, with different ranges of funding available depending on the business type. The grant program utilized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and was designed to offset losses and support job retention in the industries hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Back to Business program has been a lifeline for thousands of Illinois businesses in recent years, and the latest round of grants will help keep the doors open for restaurants, hotels, and arts organizations in every corner of the state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Supporting employers and the state’s world-class workforce is a top priority for DCEO, and the B2B program is providing much-needed assistance to businesses while bolstering the economy.”
Data on Grant Distribution:
  • A total of 3,951 businesses were provided grant awards, including:
    • Hotels: 720
    • Restaurants: 996
    • Arts: 2,235
  • Businesses received an average grant amount of $39,484 with the following median awards amounts broken out by sector:
    • Hotels: $62,458
    • Restaurants: $50,000
    • Arts: $5,000
  • 85 percent of recipients did not receive any prior B2B or Business Interruption Grant (BIG) relief
  • Average Revenue declines between 2019-2020:
    • Hotels: As outlined in statute, revenue decline was not a factor for evaluating hotel awards.
    • Restaurants: 28 percent
    • Arts: 44 percent
  • Funding Distributed Per Industry:
    • Hotels: $70.4 million
    • Restaurants: $37.9 million
    • Arts: $47.7 million