Business Resources

NWILED Business Financing Programs Guide

The NWILED's 2025 Business Financing Programs Guide details local, state, and federal programs. 
English-language version 
Spanish-language version 

Jo Daviess County Small Business Development Grant

The JDC Small Business Development Grant opened for applications on Dec. 1, 2024, and was to remain open until May 30, 2025, but on April 7, 2025, the Jo Daviess County Board acted and approved the disbursement of all $100,000 in available funds.  Awardee and turndown letters are now being announced by the county.

It is the county's hope to bring the program back in 2026. The aim of the JDC Small Business Development Grant was to encourage local entrepreneurs and businesses to start, advance, and expand their operations. Administered by JDC, the program was managed by NWILED.

Press Release
Application Packet Checklist
Appendix 1

C-PACE Programs

Renovating or constructing buildings for a clean energy economy is expensive, and now these clean energy projects will become more affordable for local businesses after the Illinois Finance Authority PACE Program was established by the Jo Daviess County Board on August 8, 2023, the City of Galena on August 14, 2023, and the City of Mount Carroll on 1/24/2024.

Commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) programs allow businesses to pay off clean energy projects on a long-term basis through voluntarily requested special assessments tied to the property. C-PACE programs aim to spur investment in renewable energy systems and resilient building design. Any privately-owned commercial, industrial, non-residential agricultural, or multi-family (of 5 or more units) property or any property owned by a not-for-profit can take advantage of these new C-PACE programs in connection with the renovations of an existing buildings and new construction, in each case up to 25% of the value of the property.

For more information on the IFA and the IFA PACE Program, including the program's one page application, visit www.il-fa.com. Program contact is Brad Fletcher (bfletcher@il-fa.com).
 

Grant & Incentive Resources

• Grants.gov 

• Blackhawk Hills Regional Council
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Landmarks Illinois
• Small Business Development Center at Sauk Valley Community College

Data: 2017-2022

• Carroll
• Jo Daviess

Workforce Resources

Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST, Inc.) is a non-profit agency that administers federally-funded programs such as Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) in Bureau, Carroll, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lee, Ogle, Putnam and Whiteside counties. With offices in Oglesby, Ottawa, Dixon, Princeton, Sterling, Oregon, Galena and Mt. Carroll, its focus is assisting adults and youth gain meaningful employment through training, job search assistance and work experience.
Reach them at BEST, Inc.
 

Small Business Resources

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Sauk Valley Community College supports hundreds of businesses, through providing free counseling services and valued assistance to launch dreams, secure financing, and increase profitability. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology – ‘Starting a Business in Illinois" Spanish-language guide.