Business Resources

Grants and Loans

This page provides information on incentives available to small businesses, including data on state, federal, local and private grants and loans available to small businesses in our region.

SBA Business Opportunities – Financing. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a wide variety of loan programs.

Prairie Hills Resource Conservation & Development, Inc. is an Illinois nonprofit, US Internal Revenue Service 501 (c)(3) charitable organization serving the west central Illinois counties of Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren. Prairie Hills Revolving Loan Program provides low interest loans to corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, etc. with the purpose of spurring up economic development in west central Illinois.

Small Business Administration State-specific lists of certified and preferred SBA lenders – those who have been heavily involved in regular SBA loan-guaranty processing and have met certain other criteria.

ACCION Chicago is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing credit and other business services to small business owners who do not have access to traditional sources of financing. ACCION Chicago serves micro-entrepreneurs throughout Illinois.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. This websites presents a large array of loans, grants, and assistance available to business in the State of Illinois. Information on tax support through the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) and the Enterprise Zones Program can be found here.

USDA Rural Development – Business Programs. The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development sponsors a number of Rural Business loans and grants guided towards helping businesses get established in rural areas.

Amren Economic Development Financing Solutions Program. For businesses that wish to expand, relocate or modernize their facilities, finding the best (least-cost) financing can be a significant challenge. The Ameren Economic Development Financing Solutions Program offers innovative and flexible financing for your growing needs.