Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announce new grant program supporting small businesses [Video]

CHICAGO (WLS) — State and local officials gathered Thursday morning on Chicago’s West Side to announce a grant program to support businesses owned by historically underrepresented populations and small businesses.

Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and more were among those who spoke at the event.

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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity was also there to announce $10 million in funding for the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment Small Business Capital and Infrastructure Grant Program to help small businesses achieve sustainable growth, improve efficiency and create and retain jobs through capital improvements, a news release from the governor’s office said.

The grant program is designed around equity to uplift businesses owned by historically underrepresented groups and very small businesses with fewer than 10 employees, the release said.

“Creating economic opportunity for diverse and small …