The second wave of funds includes the following provisions to ensure a wide distribution of funds geographically and across business type:
• Heavily Impacted Industries — $60 million for heavily distressed industries, such as movie theatres, performing arts venues, concert venues, indoor recreation, amusement parks, and more.
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• Disproportionately Impacted Areas — $70 million set aside for DIAs, defined by zip codes identified by the General Assembly for communities that are most economically distressed and vulnerable to COVID-19. Coles County is part of the DIAs.
• Downstate Communities — tThe Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has committed to ensuring that at least half of all remaining funds, totaling more than $100 million, are reserved for businesses in downstate and rural communities of Illinois.
• Priority Businesses — Apart from the $60 million for heavily impacted industries, applications from the following types of businesses will be prioritized for review for remaining funds: businesses directly affected by regional mitigations implemented by the state or local governments, independently owned retail, tourism- and hospitality-related industries including accommodations, and more. Many Coles County businesses will now be eligible to apply for funding in this category.
