City of Springfield, Illinois Misty Buscher - Mayor

Cannabis Business Grant Application

Applications Open Until May 22, 2023 at 5:00 P.M.

This special grant program is made possible by a portion of the local cannabis sales tax. The City of Springfield is announcing a business assistance program through cannabis sales tax revenue. This is available for new and existing qualified businesses. The goal of the program is to promote business retention and expansion of Minority Owned Businesses.

These Minority Owned Businesses must either reside or relocate in the area bounded by Carpenter Street on the north, Ash Street on the south, Dirksen Parkway on the east, and 10th Street rail corridor on the west, and live within the City corporate limits.

Have a question about the program? Click here to view our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). We are also available to answer your questions over the phone at 217.789.2377 or email info.OPED@springfield.il.us.

ELIGIBLE IMPROVEMENTS

This grant program will provide an award amount that will be based on total eligible project costs, not to exceed $100,000. Money awarded for the project is to be used for specific items including:

Equipment
Land acquisition
Inventory purchase
New construction or renovation
Prevailing Wage must be used for all projects utilizing labor

INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES

The following business types are specifically ineligible for assistance under this grant program:

Home-based businesses
Nonprofit organizations/businesses. Exceptions may apply. Please call for details.
Private club or business that limits membership for reasons other than capacity
Businesses with at least 33% of its gross annual revenues from legal gambling activities unless the business is licensed by the City of Springfield to operate gaming terminals
A business in which a majority owner or member of the immediate family is an elected official or employee of the City of Springfield
An establishment similar to any enumerated above

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To qualify for this grant, the business address must reside in the area bounded by Carpenter Street on the north, Ash Street on the south, Dirksen Parkway on the east and 10th Street rail corridor on the west, and live within the City corporate limits.

The business must be 51% minority owned.
The business must pay 10% of the entire project cost.
Taxes must be current and up-to-date.
No outstanding debt to the City of Springfield including parking tickets, CWLP bill payment, etc.
If approved for the grant program, every person listed on the deed of the business must sign off on the agreement.

NEXT STEPS

Check on-line to see if your business is within the Cannabis Occupation Tax Area.
Apply on-line below.
After the cannabis business grant application is received, the City of Springfield’s Office of Planning & Economic Development will review the submission and contact you for additional information.
Please submit at least 2 estimates for each scope of work planned for the business.
Award recipients will be notified and provided a letter of their specific grant, and be required to attend an informational workshop outlining the process.

Please note: Funding is limited to the amount of cannabis sales tax revenue available. A 10-year claw back agreement will be executed to be exercised if the conditions of the program are not met. Grant will only be awarded once. All applicable Federal and State laws will apply as well as City of Springfield ordinances.

Sign up period has ended.

The first round of funding has ended. Staff will be in touch with all that have submitted information. Please check back for future funding opportunities.