Gov. Pritzker stops in Bloomington to announce COVID-19 funding

Posted on August 13, 2020
The YMCA will get $20,000 and and over two-dozen McLean County businesses are included in the first round of BIG grants. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Neil Doyle and Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The governor and local officials gathered at the Bloomington-Normal YMCA Wednesday afternoon to announce the first round of grant money for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants total $46 million and are going to over 26,000 businesses who have been hit hardest by the pandemic. Gov. Pritzker says over two-dozen businesses in McLean County are included in the first round.

“We want to make sure that they survive and thrive through this. These are our local barbers and our dinners and our gyms and much more. They’re woven into the fabric of our communities, and crucially, they’ve worn the brunt of the most severe impact of COVID-19.”

The YMCA will receive $20,000, which can be used for PPE, equipment, payroll, and utilities.

“The YMCA had to close their doors for a period of time as Illinoisans buckled down amidst of this deadly pandemic,” said Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Acting Director Michael Negorn. “The $20,000 grant that they are receiving through the BIG program not only offers it the funding that it needs to continue to serve families in the community but also allows them to make improvements to meet residents where they’re at in the midst of this pandemic.”

Illinois Department of Commece and Economic Opportunity Acting Director Michael Negorn (right) and Gov. Pritzker (standing right) announce funding the the Bloomington-Normal YMCA. Sen. Jason Barickman (right sitting) was in attendance. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

The grants range from $10,000 to $20,000 dollars. To apply, visit DCEO.Illinois.gov for more information.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]. 

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]. 

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