Applications accepted through October 26, 2025
The City of Champaign, in partnership with the Champaign County Economic Development Center, is excited to launch a second round of the New and Growing Business Programs. These programs are designed to help start and grow small businesses in the City of Champaign by providing financial assistance and technical support to local entrepreneurs and existing small businesses:
- New Business Program: Up to $10,000 reimbursement for entrepreneurs starting a new business, or for businesses less than two years old. Home-based businesses are eligible to apply.
- Growing Business Program: Up to $20,000 reimbursement for established small businesses (older than two years) with physical storefronts in the City of Champaign looking to expand their operations. Home-based businesses are not eligible to apply.
Eligible businesses must be located within the City of Champaign and meet program criteria. Applications are due by October 26, 2025 and awardees will be announced before the end of the calendar year.
To strengthen their applications, businesses are encouraged to work with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). New Business applicants who have attended the Starting Your Business in Illinois workshop, and Growing Business applicants who have met with the SBDC for business advising, in the past six months will receive an extra point on their application scoring. All applicants are encouraged to download SBDC’s business plan outline (or see this example business plan) and use Champaign Public Library business services resources to strengthen their application. Informational sessions about this program will be held at the Champaign Public Library on September 23 from 12 – 2 pm and online on September 25 from 1 – 2:30 pm.
For more information about these programs, application links, and registration for the online webinar, visit champaignil.gov/city-incentives/ or contact the City’s Planning and Development Department at 217-403-8800 or [email protected].
Don’t miss this chance to start or expand your business in Champaign!