Resources
resource directory · official source links
Official-source directory
Search current and past programs. Verify terms before applying.
89 organizations
A nonprofit community lender offering loans, lines of credit, coaching, and related services to early, emerging, and established businesses throughout Illinois and Indiana.
Term Loans · Lines of Credit · Credit Builder Loans · Revenue-Based Financing · Business Coaching
Ameren Illinois is the electric and natural-gas utility whose business energy-efficiency incentives and community giving programs may serve qualifying Chester-area customers and nonprofits.
Energy Incentives · Technical Assistance · Charitable Grants
A community bank headquartered in Chester with business, agriculture, commercial, and equipment-financing services.
Commercial Loans · Agricultural Loans · Business Banking · Equipment Leasing
A local membership organization promoting Chester businesses, tourism, networking, advocacy, and community growth.
Networking · Business Promotion · Advocacy · Tourism Promotion · Community Partnerships
DCEO's Office of Employment and Training oversees Illinois workforce programs and WIOA policy connecting employers and residents with career and training services.
WIOA Administration · Training Policy · Apprenticeship Support
The Office of Illinois Works operates construction workforce programs focused on pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship participation, career connections, and contractor bid credits.
Pre-Apprenticeship · Career Services · Bid Credits · Construction Workforce Development
The state-certified regional convention and visitors bureau serving Randolph County and other Downstate Illinois counties through destination marketing and tourism partnerships.
Tourism Marketing · Advertising · Creative Services · Listings · Event Promotion · Visitor Referrals
Federal emergency-management agency supporting disaster recovery and hazard mitigation, usually through state and local public applicants.
Hazard Mitigation Grants · Flood Mitigation · Disaster Recovery
A Randolph County community bank with locally processed term, line-of-credit, commercial real estate, small-business, and agricultural lending.
Business Term Loans · Lines of Credit · Commercial Real Estate Loans · Small Business Loans · Agricultural Loans
DCEO's First Stop office helps Illinois startups and small businesses navigate licenses, permits, regulations, and government resources.
Regulatory Navigation · Startup Information · Referrals
Official federal portal for finding and applying to discretionary grant opportunities, with free applicant training and Workspace tools.
Grant Search · Application Submission · Applicant Training
An SBA Certified Development Company providing 504 financing for commercial real estate and major equipment throughout Illinois, with a Southern Illinois lending contact and office.
SBA 504 Loans · Commercial Real Estate Financing · Equipment Financing · Refinancing
HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development administers block grants and loan guarantees for housing, community development, and economic revitalization.
Community Development Funding · Housing Funding · Loan Guarantees
SIU-hosted no-cost advising and training center for Illinois businesses pursuing government and prime-contractor opportunities.
Government Contracting · Procurement Advising · Certifications · Market Research · Training
SIU APEX provides no-cost, confidential government-contracting counseling and training to existing and emerging Illinois businesses.
Government Contracting Counseling · Procurement Training · Capability Development
The Illinois Arts Council provides grants and services that support artists, nonprofit arts organizations, schools, and public arts programming across Illinois.
Arts Grants · Technical Assistance · Regional Arts Support
IDOA administers Illinois agriculture, food-system infrastructure, marketing, and producer-assistance programs.
Agriculture Grants · Food Infrastructure · Product Marketing · Producer Assistance
Illinois' lead state economic-development agency administers business finance, tax incentives, workforce grants, community-development programs, and entrepreneurship support.
Business Financing · Tax Incentives · Workforce · Community Development · Technical Assistance
IDES connects Illinois employers and workers through job matching, hiring services, labor-market resources, tax-credit certification, and employment programs.
Job Matching · Employer Services · Hiring Incentives · Fidelity Bonding
IDOT administers statewide transportation programs and funding for local roads, freight access, economic development, active transportation, safety, and accessibility.
Transportation Grants · Local Roads · Freight Access · Active Transportation
SIU-hosted center providing no-cost tailored advising, mentorship, training, and strategic-resource connections to individuals and very small Southern Illinois businesses.
Business Advising · Mentorship · Training · Growth Planning · Resource Referrals
Illinois EPA administers environmental cleanup assistance and financing for water, wastewater, stormwater, brownfield, and other environmental projects.
Brownfield Assistance · Water Infrastructure Finance · Environmental Technical Assistance
IHDA finances and administers affordable-housing programs, tax credits, and multifamily development resources throughout Illinois.
Housing Tax Credits · Multifamily Finance · Developer Resources · Affordable Housing
Illinois Humanities supports public humanities statewide through grants, speakers, partnerships, and programs, with particular attention to rural and under-resourced communities.
Humanities Grants · Public Programs · Speakers · Capacity Building
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.