2023 Source Grant honored with national award
The Cook County Small Business Source is proud to announce that the 2023 Source Grant was recently honored with a 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award after providing funding for thousands of businesses throughout the county.
The 2023 Source Grant program: $50 million distributed to 3,000 small businesses
In 2023, Cook County launched a $50 million grant program as an investment in small businesses to help stabilize their operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity in the post-pandemic economy. Cook County established this program because of the central role small businesses play in the local economy as community anchors, a source of […]
Illinois Back to Business New Business (B2B NewBiz) Grant
The State of Illinois has launched the Illinois Back to Business New Business Grant Program (B2B NewBiz), a grant program that will provide financial relief to businesses in the industries most impacted by the pandemic. The state has allocated $25 million in grant funding to support businesses in hard-hit sectors that started operations between January […]
Check Your Certificate of Good Standing Status Today!
Make sure your business is in good standing with the State of Illinois. Your business may need to get a copy of your certificate to: Open a business bank account Apply for a business loan Seek investments from investors Purchase small business insurance Register to do business in another state Keep a current status of […]
The 2023 Source Grant Launch
The launch of The 2023 Source Grant brought together many of our community partners and small businesses. The press event on July 19 featured President Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, grant administrators Women’s Business Development Center and Allies for Community Businesses, the Bureau of Economic Development and the Office of Veteran Affairs and […]
The Source Honored with a National Association of Counties Award
Did you know that The Source’s work in assisting 10,000 businesses has led to its recognition as a national model for small business assistance? Since its inception, The Source has assisted small businesses by providing no cost business advising, a library of resources, events, training and access to capital opportunities. Congratulations to The Source for […]
The Source e-Newsletter: June Edition
A new edition of The Source e-Newsletter just dropped! June’s newsletter highlights tools available on The Source’s new Resources page, an inspiring small business impact story, free upcoming events and financing opportunities. Click here to view the June e-Newsletter. Don’t receive our newsletter yet? Subscribe here on our website today.
Partner with The Source: Become a Business Support Organization
The Women’s Business Development Center on behalf of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development seeks 2-4 non-profit Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to provide business advising services for The Cook County Small Business Source. We seek organizations that: Since 2020, the Cook County Small Business Source has provided no-cost business advising, resources, events/webinars, and grants […]
Applications Now Closed: DCEO Back To Business (B2B) Grants for Creative Arts, Hotels & Restaurants
As of 12am, May 11th, the application window for the DCEO Back To Business (B2B) Grants is closed. The State of Illinois has launched a new round of the Back to Business (B2B) program. Eligible restaurants, hotels and creative arts businesses are eligible to apply for $175 million in available grant funding as part of […]
Make your final preparations for Small Business Saturday!
Saturday, November 26 is Small Business Saturday, is a day designed to promote the importance of small businesses for the local economy on one of the biggest shopping days of the year! Take action now to prepare yourself and your business to serve your customers, hit your sales goals, promote your offers on social media, […]
