The Mattoon Arts Council has a new feature artist display area in the north entrance corridor at the Cross County Mall.
The state of Illinois and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have created a new program to help businesses which were hit the hardest by the pandemic.
The Back to Business (B2B) economic recovery program provides grants for businesses that were adversely affected by the pandemic with grants from $5,000 up to $150,000 to cover operating costs, staffing and/or overhead costs.
The B2B grants are to be focused on the hardest-hit businesses, including entertainment venues, salons, hotels, fitness centers, bars and restaurants. However, other businesses are welcome to apply as well. DIA’s, or Disproportionately Impacted Communities, which include all of Coles County, are also given priority.
To assist small businesses with the B2B application process, the DCEO has partnered with Community Navigator Organizations to help with technical assistance in completing the process. The good news is we have two local organizations, Coles Together and Elevate CCIC Inc., who have been designated as local Community Navigators at helping businesses through the application process.
The application process has been streamlined with an online portal that will give businesses the opportunity to view their status in real time. You can contact Angela Griffin or Kasey Considine at Coles Together at 217-258-5627 or by email at [email protected] or [email protected] for information. You can also reach out to Carlos Ortega from Elevate CCIC Inc. at 217-819-6150 or [email protected].
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The program started Aug. 18 and Coles Together has heard that two of their applicants have already qualified and are in line to receive grant funds. They should be seeing the funds within the next four to six weeks. This process has a much quicker turnaround time than other programs, which included the Paycheck Protection Program and the Stabilization and BIG grants.
The Chamber has created a brand-new, unique event to replace our Business Expo and Taste of the Expo that had to be postponed until next year. The Mattoon Eagles Club at 1917 Oak Ave. in Mattoon will be hosting our first Lobster Boil event on Friday, Sept. 24, from 5-8:30 p.m.
Tickets will include a 1¼-pound lobster with seasoned corn and potatoes, live music and one free drink of your choice for $50. The form is available on our website or as a link on our Facebook page. You can also call or visit the Chamber to sign up in advance.
We will be offering the opportunity to dine in at the Eagles and enjoy the entertainment and camaraderie. We will also be offering live lobsters for carryout along with cooked meals to go. Whether dine in or carryout, you must order in advance. The deadline for reservations is Friday, Sept. 17. The sooner you order, the sooner you reserve your spot.
PHOTOS: A look back at Mattoon businesses through the years
Mattoon Area Educational Extension Center
1965: The school is housed in the former Humble Oil Co. building on Route 45 on the south side of Mattoon.
General Electric Co.
1950: Proof that flash photography has become a national hobby is the Mattoon plant of the General Electric Co. which manufactures flash bulbs almost exclusively. A few incandescent or regular light bulbs in larger wattages are made here also.
Ellen Kay’s
1989: Pat and Rodney Williamson are ready to dine. Owner Leonard Losch looks on at Ellen Kay’s.
East Rudy Place
1992: A bicyclist pedals along East Rudy Street where a row of new duplexes were built, next to a subsidized housing project.
E. Rudy Place
1992: A group of children wait in line to challenge the winner to a game of tether ball at the E. Rudy Street housing project.
Downtown Aerial
1985: aerial view of downtown Mattoon.
Douglas Nursing Center
1977: Acquisition of the Douglas Nursing Center will complete another phase in Wesley Tower’s total care package.
Consolidated Telemarketing Association (CTA)
1991: The CTA office is carpeted, air conditioned, well-lit and features work stations designed around employee needs. Telemarketers generated $435 billion in sales last year. For each customer who says yes, 99 say no.
Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS)
1959: The Eastern Division of the CIPS is completing a move into the new building in Mattoon. The structure has 36 offices and 23,000 square feet of office space.
Burtschi
1988: Burtschi is the first store in Illinois south of Springfield to offer Hummel figurines.
Blaw-Knox
1963: A new line of paving equipment is exhibited by the Mattoon Blaw Knox plant at the Construction Equipment Exposition and Road Show, Chicago.
Anaconda
1959: In an effort to better serve the growing needs of the Midwest, Southwest and Far West market for flexible metal hose and tubing the American Brass Co. built its American Metal Hose Division plant in Mattoon.
Ed Dowd is the executive director of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce.