ROCKFORD — As small business owners across Illinois are concerned about their financial situations due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, State Senator Steve Stadelman highlighted new funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for small business development centers to help them get through this difficult time.

“Small businesses play an important role in our state, and investing in them is key to making sure the Illinois economy can get back on its feet,” Stadelman said. “Downstate communities do well when small businesses do well.”

A $7.3 million investment announced by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Wednesday will flow from the U.S. Small Business Administration to the Illinois Small Business Developmental Center program. The statewide program focuses on supporting Illinois businesses and entrepreneurs in starting, growing and maintaining their businesses.

The money will go toward additional resources for education, training and professional business advising to small businesses that have experienced supply chain disruptions, staffing challenges, a decrease in gross receipts or customers, or a closure as a result of COVID-19.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has played an important role in connecting businesses with support resources and assistance programs designed to help keep them from shutting their doors permanently.