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Town of Normal

Small Business Relief Program

Updated on 1/25/21

Update as of 1/25/21: Per the Town of Normal's website, the grant program application window has closed. Awards will be announced in December. 

Original post 11/30/20:

The following key points have been provided by the Town of Normal:

  • To assist small businesses significantly impacted by COVID-19, the Town of Normal developed the Town of Normal Small Business Relief Program (SBRP) with money granted through the Local CURE ES Program (Local Coronavirus Urgent Remediation Emergency). 

  • The Town of Normal received $450,000 from the Local CURE ES Program, a federally funded effort from the Coronavirus Relief Fund which uses dollars allocated to Illinois through the CARES Act.

  • See full details, eligible expenses, required documents, grant eligibility requirements, and a sample application on the Town of Normal's website.

 

The SBRP will provide eligible businesses with funds up to $15,000, divided into equal opportunities for grants of $5,000 in three broad categories:

  • Operational Assistance Grant – up to $5,000 for expenses related to sustaining business operations. (e.g., rent, mortgage or utilities) 

  • Digital and Marketing Support Grant – up to $5,000 for efforts related to enhancing their digital footprint. (e.g., social media marketing, point of sale systems, website enhancements) 

  • Business Modification Grant – up to $5,000 in reimbursement for COVID-19-related physical improvements/modifications made to ensure continued service. (e.g., building modifications, additional cleaning supplies)

  • Eligible businesses must meet several requirements, including the following:

  • Have a physical presence/location within the boundaries of the Town of Normal

  • 50 full-time employee equivalents (FTE) or fewer

  • Be operational as of Jan. 1, 2020

  • Show a demonstrated impact/loss of revenue due to COVID-19 

  • Up-to-date on all local and State of Illinois tax obligations

  • To determine eligibility, businesses can use a pre-qualification form at www.normal.org/SBRPprequalification. This pre-qualification form outlines all eligibility requirements. 

 

A secure portal for submitting applications will be available on the Town’s website beginning Dec. 1 through an online portal.

  • The submittal deadline is Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. CST. 

  • In the meantime, business owners are encouraged to visit www.normal.org/SBRP to learn more about the application process and begin compiling documentation needed for the application. 

  • Applications will be taken beginning Dec. 1 and will be considered until all funds are depleted.

  • Funds awarded to local businesses are taxable.

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