West Cook News

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced an extension for the application deadline of the Catalyst Grant, a program designed to support up to 88 established businesses in specific industries. The new deadline for applications is November 14, 2025, at 5 p.m. CT, moving from the original October 31 date.

The Catalyst Grant marks the first initiative by the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development focused on helping established and growing businesses within the county that have annual sales exceeding $500,000. The grant offers $100,000 to selected businesses to help them expand their operations.

"We want to ensure as many eligible businesses as possible are aware of the Catalyst Grant, which provides a unique opportunity to scale up operations, accelerating the journey to sustainable success,” said President Preckwinkle. "My administration remains committed to providing local businesses with a strong support network and access to vital resources."

Businesses must be located in Cook County and operate in one of six industries: construction; finance and insurance; information technology; manufacturing; professional services; or real estate. These sectors were chosen based on factors such as profitability, growth trends, and concentration within Cook County.

To qualify, applicants must show documented revenue between $500,000 and $10 million for both 2023 and 2024 along with evidence of business growth. Grant recipients will be required to use funds for hiring or training employees, upgrading facilities, or expanding their operations. More details about eligibility and the application process can be found at cookcountysmallbiz.org/catalystgrant.

Allies for Community Business and the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) serve as administrators for this grant program. Both organizations are part of the Cook County Small Business Source initiative that provides free business advising and resources.

Interested applicants can access assistance through The Source’s network of 13 Business Support Organizations—including Allies for Community Business and WBDC—as well as a dedicated help desk. Online resources such as an instructional video and an application checklist are also available.

Applicants will be notified about their status in early 2026, with funds expected to be distributed by spring 2026.