Business Attraction Prime Sites Grant

The Accelerate Grant Program is designed to take your business to the next level! This grant program is open to women-owned businesses that received a WBDC Equity Match Grant, Ignite Grant or Municipal Grant at least 12 months ago and have demonstrated revenue growth as a direct impact of receiving WBDC grant funding. A select number of applicants will be given the opportunity to participate in a Pitch Event, where an external review committee will select the grant recipients. The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, on-going marketing expenses, salaries), or for past purchases or debt repayment.

The Commercial Façade Building Materials Grant Program provides funding to enhance and revitalize the aesthetics of Green Bay’s commercial districts. It aims to address deteriorating property conditions and encourage enhancements by providing a financial incentive for businesses to invest in their property. The Program is funded by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provided by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is managed and administered by the City of Green Bay’s Community & Economic Development Department.

The City of Pasadena’s Economic Development Division has established the Microenterprise Recovery Grant Program to assist local, low- to moderate-income microenterprises —businesses with five or fewer employees —impacted by the 2025 Eaton wildfire and windstorm. Eligible businesses may apply for reimbursement-based grants of up to $5,000 to support stabilization and recovery efforts. To qualify, businesses must operate a brick-and-mortar location within Pasadena city limits, hold a current City business license, employ no more than a total of five employees, and have an owner with income below 80% of the area median income who has experienced economic hardship due to the fires or windstorms.

Black entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers when it comes to accessing funding to grow their businesses. Fifteen Percent Pledge is working to address this challenge by supplying Black-owned businesses with no-strings-attached funding to accelerate and sustain their success. For the third year in a row, Fifteen Percent Pledge is partnering with Shop with Google to provide $250,000 in grant funding to unlock the next horizon of growth for three Black-owned businesses. The winner of the Achievement Award will also receive mentoring and pro-bono consulting services from industry leaders.

This program will provide a state match to companies that have received a Phase I award through a federal SBIR or STTR grant program. The maximum award under this program may not exceed $50,000. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the total grant shall be remitted to the business upon receipt of the SBIR/STTR Phase I award and application for funds. The remaining twenty-five percent (25%) of the total grant shall be remitted to the business upon submission by the business of the Phase II application to the federal funding agency and acceptance of the Phase I report by the federal funding agency. This program is utilizing state funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.