University News

IIRA to Host DCEO Back 2 Business Program, to Serve as B2B Hub

August 13, 2021

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MACOMB, IL – The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University has been designated as a business hub for the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Back 2 Business (B2B) small business recovery grant program to assist rural Illinois businesses. The IIRA will host an informational meeting at John Wood Community College Workforce Development Center in Quincy from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The IIRA has been awarded $186,698 through the DCEO grant and will work with six sub-grant recipients, including the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, Western Illinois Works, John Wood Community College, Two Rivers Regional Council of Public Officials and Pike County Economic Development Corporation. Through the grant program, the IIRA and the sub-grantees will provide technical assistance to small business owners who are racial or ethnic minorities, veterans, immigrants, women or individuals with disabilities in McDonough, Henderson, Warren, Knox, Hancock, Schuyler, Brown, Adams, and Pike counties.

"We are honored to be selected to provide assistance to small business owners in west central Illinois," said IIRA Director Christopher Merrett. "We look forward to working with diverse small business owners to help their businesses grow and thrive."

Jonathan McGee, DCEO deputy director and a WIU alumnus, will be present at the Aug. 18 event in Quincy, along with IIRA staff and sub-grantee representatives, to assist small business owners who meet the criteria apply for a Back 2 Business grant. Additional informational sessions will be held at dates and locations to be determined.

For assistance, contact a B2B community navigator:

Sandy Wittig or Greg Kalnes, IIRA, (309) 298-2637.

Gordan Forbes, John Wood Community College, (217) 641-4929

Chad Fredericks, Two Rivers Regional Council, (309) 221-7846

Brenda Middendorf, Two Rivers RC&D & Pike County Economic Development Corporation, (217) 491-2401

Blanche Shoup, Western Illinois Works, (309) 344-1575

Kim Pierce, Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation, (309) 837-4684

Ken Springer, Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, (309) 343-1194

More information about the B2B grant is also available at https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssistance/Pages/B2B.aspx.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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