Resources
resource directory · official source links
Official-source directory
Search current and past programs. Verify terms before applying.
181 programs
Allies for Community Business
A4CB offers Illinois businesses term loans and lines of credit from $500 to $500,000, with underwriting designed for early and established firms.
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA's main loan-guarantee program helps eligible small businesses finance real estate, working capital, equipment, refinancing, and ownership changes through participating lenders.
Growth Corp
Growth Corp is an SBA Certified Development Company providing 504 fixed-rate financing for commercial real estate and major equipment throughout Illinois.
U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA-designated nonprofit intermediaries make microloans of up to $50,000 and provide business guidance to qualifying small businesses.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Advantage Illinois can reduce a participating lender's exposure by having the state participate in part of an eligible Illinois business loan.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Advantage Illinois may provide a state guarantee that reduces risk for an enrolled lender financing an eligible Illinois business.
Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU
The Illinois SBDC at SIU provides no-cost, confidential advising to Randolph County entrepreneurs and small businesses.
SCORE
SCORE provides free, confidential one-on-one mentoring to aspiring and established U.S. business owners.
Chester Chamber of Commerce
The Chester Chamber connects local businesses with promotion, networking, advocacy, and community-growth opportunities.
Monroe-Randolph County Enterprise Zone
Designated Chester properties are within the Monroe-Randolph County Enterprise Zone and may qualify for state and local tax incentives after site and project certification.
National Park Service
A federal income-tax credit equal to 20 percent of qualified rehabilitation expenditures may support certified rehabilitation of income-producing historic buildings.
Illinois State Historic Preservation Office
Illinois provides a competitive state income-tax credit equal to 25% of qualified rehabilitation expenditures for approved certified historic rehabilitations.
Ameren Illinois
Custom incentives support measured energy-saving projects that do not fit Ameren Illinois standard incentive applications.
USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
USDA guarantees qualifying lender loans for rural businesses, including real estate, equipment, modernization, acquisitions, inventory, and eligible refinancing.
Southwestern Illinois workNet
On-the-job training can help qualifying Randolph County employers train eligible new hires through an approved workNet agreement.
Southwestern Illinois workNet
Incumbent Worker Training may help Randolph County employers upskill existing workers, retain talent, or avert layoffs.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
EDGE provides annual Illinois tax credits to qualifying businesses that commit to eligible job creation or retention and capital investment projects.
Illinois APEX Accelerator at Southern Illinois University
SIU APEX provides no-cost, confidential help to Southern Illinois businesses pursuing government contracts.
Illinois Power Agency
Illinois Shines supports community solar projects and customer subscriptions that provide bill credits without installing panels at the customer's property.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Illinois EPA offers no- or low-interest cleanup loans for municipally owned brownfields with an approved remediation plan.
Discover Downstate Illinois
Discover Downstate Illinois serves Randolph County and offers tourism partners marketing, creative, advertising, lead, referral, listing, and event-promotion benefits.
DCEO Office of Employment and Training
Apprenticeship Illinois helps employers explore and develop registered apprenticeship programs.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois CDBG Economic Development funding lets an eligible local government sponsor assistance for a business project that creates or retains permanent full-time jobs.
Buena Vista National Bank
Chester-based Buena Vista National Bank offers locally originated agriculture and commercial loans for operating and expansion needs.
Start with a plain-English guide.
start a business
From business plan to first hire — federal loan programs and one-on-one help from the Illinois SBDC.
rehab a building
State and federal incentives for bringing old brick back to life — tax credits included.
find a grant
IL DCEO, USDA Rural Development, and regional foundations — matched to what you’re building.
hire & train
Use Illinois workNet to find employer services for recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining workers.
go rural
Loan guarantees, energy grants, and rural business development funds most towns never tap.