OMEE Minority-Owned Business Capital & Infrastructure Grant Program
CSFA Number: 420-45-2160
Agency Name
Department Of Commerce And Economic Opportunity (420)
Agency Identification
09-2
Agency Contact
Tiffany Hawkins
312.877.0620
ceo.OMEEgrant@illinois.gov
Short Description
The 2022 OMEE Minority Business Capital Grant Program will provide minority-owned businesses with capital resources to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements to existing property or essential equipment or provide funds toward the acquisition of new property. Capital access remains an important factor in the success of minority-owned businesses and by extension the communities they serve. The OMEE Minority Business Capital Grant Program builds off the success of the 2020 OMEE Capital Grant Program and sets out to support minority-owned businesses as they recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue their contributions to Illinois’ economy. This investment equips firms with resources that can create jobs, build scale and capacity, and increase revenues, while demonstrating DCEO’s commitment to advancing equitable access to opportunity and resources for all Illinois communities.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
Public Act 100-058
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
The OMEE Minority Business Capital Grant Program intends to support small businesses in communities that have traditionally faced barriers to funding for infrastructure improvements or the acquisition of new property. The program aims to equip minority-owned firms with resources to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally. The grant announcement is open to minority owned businesses located in underserved populations. The total amount of grant funds anticipated for this award is $18 million. Grant funds will be disbursed as project deliverables are completed, according to terms established in grant agreements. Individual awards will vary, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. Awardees are expected to demonstrate need and how their project will create social and economic impact in their communities.
Prime Recipient
Yes
UGA Program Terms
Information about the Program Specific Terms and requirements can be found within the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Eligible Applicants
Small Businesses; Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
Sole proprietors, Corporations, LLCs with less than 250 employees that have been in operation for at least 12 months or 501c nonprofit organizations that provide services to businesses and entrepreneurs. ITINs are eligible. Only one application per business entity. An entity must be registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov/portal at the time of grant application. Entities on the Illinois Stop Payment List at time of application submission will not be considered for an award. An automated email notification to the entity alerts them of “qualified” status or informs how to remediate a negative verification (e.g., inactive DUNS, not in good standing with the Secretary of State). A federal Debarred and Suspended status cannot be remediated. Pursuant to the policy of the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, to receive grant funds from the State of Illinois, a grantee must be considered a regarded entity by the IRS for federal income tax purposes. Disregarded entities will not be eligible to receive grant funds.
Beneficiary Eligibility
N/A
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Economic Development
Credentials / Documentation
An applicant must also submit the following documentation with their application for funding: o Uniform Application o Uniform Capital Budget o Business Plan o Project Description o 2020 financial statement or federal taxes (personal and business tax returns) o Ownership chart (must be at least 51% minority owned) o Signed W-9 o Business owner ID (EIN-SSN-ITIN) o SAMS and DUNS - demonstrate that they applied.
Preapplication Coordination
Applications are due by deadline identified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity Supplement. All applications received by the deadline will be scored on merit and finalists will be notified via a Notice of State Award.
Application Procedures
Application submission format will be via a Smartsheet application form, URL will be available at the time of application release.
Criteria Selecting Proposals
Applications will be graded using the Merit Review Process and scored on the criteria specified in the Review and Selection criteria of the NOFO. Priority will be given to applicants that: - are located in a Qualified Census Tract - reside in a majority-minority community - are Minority, women, veterans or persons with disabilities, BEP certified.
Award Procedures
A merit-based review will be used to select grantees. Funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis.
Deadlines
TBD
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
TBD
Appeals
The Merit Based Review process is subject to appeal. However, competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only the evaluation process is subject to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Department within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. The written appeal shall include the name and address of the appealing party, the identification of the grant and a statement of reasons for the appeal. To file an appeal, applicants must submit the appeal in writing and in accordance with the Merit-Based Application Review Appeals Process listed on the Grant Opportunities page of the DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/GrantOpportunities/Pages/MeritAppReview.aspx.
Renewals
N/A
Formula Matching Requirements
N/A
Uses and Restrictions
The funding source for this program is Rebuild IL Bond Funds. Bond funds can be utilized for: planning, land and building acquisition, utilities, buildings, additions or structures, site improvements, and durable movable equipment.
Reports
Periodic Financial Report (PFR), Periodic Performance Report (PPR), and Smartsheet for OMEE Programmatic Reporting. PFRs and PPRs are expected either monthly or quarterly as determined by GATA ICQ. A Smartsheet report will be expected for programmatic data either quarterly or semi-annually, depending on the grant terms.
Audits
N/A
Records
N/A
Account Identification
Various
Obligations
PY: $10,144,543.20 CY: $18,000,000.00 BY: $18,000,000.00
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$150,000 - $300,000
Program Accomplishments
Program staff plans to track: increase in business revenue/sales, number of jobs created, and the number of jobs retained.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
N/A
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
Headquarters Office
500 East Monroe Springfield, IL 62701 and 555 W Monroe St, 12th Floor Chicago, IL 60661
Program Website
https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/OMEE/Pages/default.aspx
Example Projects
The OMEE grant has funded projects for Day Cares, Manufacturing Companies, Construction Companies, Bakeries, Restaurants, Educational Services, Stores, Incubators, etc.
Published Date
5/1/2021
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2019 : $10,000,000
FY 2023 : $18,000,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
Agency IDAward RangeApplication Range
Agency IDGrantee NameStart DateEnd DateAmount
20-092001Antigua, Inc.01/01/202006/30/2024500,000
20-092003Brookins Funeral Home, LTS06/01/202205/31/2024500,000
20-092008Elizabeth Abunaw04/01/202203/31/2024500,000
20-092012Little Angels Family Daycare II, Inc.01/01/202012/31/2024500,000
20-092005Black Rhino Inc04/01/202203/31/2024432,000