Rockford area restaurants could see up to $100K in grants

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Illinois Representative Maurice West and the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (RACVB) are looking to provide funding to combat skyrocketing unemployment insurance rates due to closures during the COVID-19 pandemic for the second time.

All restaurants are eligible to apply if they meet the criteria, even if the business already received the first round of grants in May.

The criteria are:

• The restaurant`s principal place of business is located within Winnebago County, Illinois.
• The restaurant complied with the indoor dining closure mandates enacted by the State of Illinois during Q1 and Q2 of 2021 via Executive Orders 2021-01, 2021-02, 2021-03, 2021-04, 2021-05, 2021-6, 2021-9, and 2021-10.
• In complying with indoor dining closure mandates in Q1 and Q2 of 2021, the restaurant laid off staff and, as a result, has experienced an increase in state unemployment tax rates.
• The restaurant incurred a higher rate of state unemployment taxes in 2022, 2023 and 2024 because of the higher unemployment benefit charges in Q1 and/or Q2 of 2021.
• The restaurant remains operational today.

Restaurants must also fall under one of the following North American Industry Classification System Codes: 722511 (Full-Service Restaurants), 722513 (Limited-Service Restaurants) or 722514 (Cafeterias and Buffets). Businesses operating under 312120 (Breweries) with onsite full-service restaurants may apply.

“We are pleased to launch the second round of this much-needed grant program to support our local restaurants in Winnebago County,” said John Groh, RACVB President/CEO. “Through the funding secured by Representative West from the State of Illinois, we aim to provide expanded assistance to our restaurants as they navigate the still-existing challenges posed by the pandemic and its aftermath. We encourage all eligible restaurants to take advantage of this opportunity and submit their applications.”

Which restaurants and how much funding they will receive will be determined by the RACVB and a professional review panel.

Owners may apply for the grants through the website from August 13th, 2024 through August 30th, 2024, 5 p.m.

The RACVB expects to distribute the grants between mid to late September.

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