More than a dozen businesses in St. Clair County to receive financial assistance thanks to Belt

• Back to Business

EAST ST. LOUIS – Over a dozen local businesses in and around St. Clair County were awarded over $500,000 in funding from the Back to Business program to tackle pandemic-related losses, thanks to the support of State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Businesses across Illinois have been greatly impacted in a variety of ways by COVID-19, especially family-owned, small businesses,” Belt said. “This funding will give business owners a chance to mend from the major impacts the pandemic has brought to our community.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Belt – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

A total of $510,000 was awarded to 14 businesses to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses include hotels, restaurants, barbershops and more.

Read more: More than a dozen businesses in St. Clair County to receive financial assistance thanks to Belt

Belt to host R3 program webinar to help organizations apply for grant funding

• Event
• R3

EAST ST. LOUIS – To support the Restore, Reinvest and Renew program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) will join Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) to host an informational webinar for organizations that have been harmed by violence, excessive incarceration and economic disinvestment.

“Communities across the state have been impacted by gun violence, unemployment, poverty and wrongful doing,” Belt said. “It is our duty as government officials to help those in our community get the resources they need to protect themselves from gun violence, promote employment opportunities and build healthy investments for those in need.”

The virtual info session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. on the $45 million R3 program. The grants fund programs in five areas, including civil legal aid, economic development, reentry, violence prevention and youth development. Nonprofit organizations, local governments, faith-based organizations, businesses and other community or neighborhood associations may apply for grants individually or in a collaborative with other groups.

Read more: Belt to host R3 program webinar to help organizations apply for grant funding

Belt announces funding for six Metro East libraries

• Library grants

EAST ST. LOUIS – Local libraries throughout the Metro East will receive over $150,000 in grants thanks to Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Thursday.

“Libraries are an outlet for people of all ages to enhance their knowledge,” Belt said. “The pandemic has brought an immense amount of challenges to libraries, such as limiting access and having enough staff, but this funding will help our local libraries recover.”

Six Metro East libraries are set to receive a total of $154,509 to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides nearly $6 million in funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.

Read more: Belt announces funding for six Metro East libraries

Local college awarded pre-apprenticeship funding to diversify construction industry

• Rebuild Illinois
• Southwestern Illinois College

EAST ST. LOUIS – To support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, Southwestern Illinois College will receive nearly $250,000, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Friday.

“Women and people of color are often underrepresented in the construction industry,” Belt said. “This funding opens the door for many people in the Metro East who want to pursue a job in construction and creates a new light for these individuals to have a career in other trade jobs.”

A total of $9.6 million awarded to 23 organizations will provide pre-apprenticeship training and wraparound supportive services to more than 1,000 participants. Southwestern Illinois College’s Belleville Campus will receive $240,000 to increase diversity in the construction industry for those who are underrepresented.

Read more: Local college awarded pre-apprenticeship funding to diversify construction industry