The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment will focus and promote opportunities for all minority communities across the state through targeted programs, resources and advocates. The goal is to ensure minority enterprises have an equal opportunity to contribute to the growth of the Illinois economy and serve as an advocate for businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups in traditionally economically-disadvantaged groups.
OMEE Grants:
As part of DCEO's ongoing commitment to supporting businesses across the state, the department has issued $11 million in Minority-Owned Business Capital Grants, otherwise known as "OMEE Grants." These grants were distributed to businesses and business incubators across the state, with 20 small businesses and 12 business incubators receiving grant funds. To view a full list of grant recipients, please visit the links below.
OMEE Events:
The webinars are open to everyone; however, please note that there are webinars that do target specific communities. We are working towards conducting more webinars; therefore, if you don’t see one that appeals to you below OMEE or DCEO’s Regional Economic Development office may have one for you in the near future. Feel free to contact us at
CEO.OMEE@illinois.gov.
-
Thursday, July 2, 2020 (Spanish) -Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) webinar,
Co-Hosted by: Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (CDT), please register
HERE.
-
Jueves, 2 de julio de 2020 (Español) - Programa de Subsidios por Interrupción Comercial (BIG por sus siglas) (seminario web),
Co-Organizado con
Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus: 10:00 am. – 11:00 a.m. (CDT), por favor regístrese
aquí
-
Monday, July 6, 2020 (English) - Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) webinar for Asian American Businesses Co-Hosted by: Illinois Legislative Asian Caucus: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (CDT), please register HERE
- Monday, July 6, 2020 (English/Spanish) -Business Interruption Grants Program (BIG) Bilingual Q&A Townhall, Co-Hosted by: Senator Castro and Village Clerk Corral Sepúlveda: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (CDT), please register HERE.
- Lunes, 6 de julio de 2020 (inglés/español) - Ayuntamiento para discutir el seminario web de IL Business Interrupción Grant (BIG), Co-organizado con senadora de IL Cristina Castro y la secretaria de Hanover Park Village Corral Sepúlveda: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., por favor regístrese aquí
-
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 (English) – Online with OMEE - ALL OMEE constituents (racial/ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veteran owned businesses: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. please click here to register
- For Business Enterprise Program (BEP) current and potential certified vendor events,
please see flyer about upcoming events.
For information please contact:
Diana Alfaro, Latino Business Development Manager (si hablo español)
Diana.alfaro@illinois.gov
312.919.3620
Matthew J. Simpson, African American Business Development Manager
Matthew.simpson@illinois.gov
312.520.0434
Ibie Hart,
Woman’s Business Development Manager
Ibie.Hart@illinois.gov
773.951.8542
Tiffany T. Hawkins, Cannabis Loan and Grant Program Manager
Tiffany.Hawkins@illinois.gov
312.793.9702
Contact the First Stop Business Information Center Helpline at: 1-800-252-2923. Spanish speaking assistance is also available at that number.
Follow DCEO on Social Media:
Twitter: @IllinoisDCEO
Facebook: @illinoisdceo
LinkedIn: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Community Partners
Program Partners
