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Governor JB Pritzker Awards $1.2 Million in Grants to Help Small Businesses Secure Government Contracts in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has awarded $1.2 million in grants to 11 recipients to help small businesses in the state secure government contracts. Governor JB Pritzker announced the funding, which will support economic development centers, academic institutions, and private nonprofits through the Illinois APEX Accelerator program.
The APEX Accelerator program aims to assist small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned businesses in offering their products and services to government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. By diversifying and strengthening the supply chain, the program also contributes to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), which supports the United States military’s need for defense-related products and services.
Recipients of the funding will receive one-on-one advising, education and training, guidance in socioeconomic certification, market research, bid matching preparation, and proposal assistance through the APEX Accelerator. The program has been supporting Illinois businesses for nearly 40 years and helped secure nearly 420 government contracts worth over $526 million last year.
DCEO Director Kristin Richards emphasized the importance of the program in supporting Illinois businesses and expanding opportunities for small businesses across the state. Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) praised the grant funding for supporting the growth and success of the program while bolstering the state’s economy.
The recipients of the grants and their respective amounts can be found on the Illinois Governor’s website. This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s economy and provide valuable support to small businesses in Illinois.
