The Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at (LLCC is reaching out to small businesses in the area to offer assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our small businesses are being affected due to closures and reduction in foot traffic,” said Kevin Lust, director of the ISBDC at LLCC. “These are difficult and unprecedented times that have forced changes in how all of us do business. We are on the front lines of gathering information on the latest local, state and national assistance, and can offer guidance to small business owners.”

Lust and his staff can provide assistance via video-conferencing, email or phone by contacting them at sbdc@llcc.edu or 217-786-4531.

A comprehensive list of available assistance for small businesses is also available at www.llcc.edu/sbdc including the Paycheck Protection Program, Emergency Small Business Grants and Loans Assistance, Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund, Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program, SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce Business Relief Fund. In additions, the ISBDC at LLCC is a partner in the new website www.springfieldzoom.com that helps consumers find the status of their favorite local businesses and their services available.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at LLCC has moved to new offices at LLCC’s Capital City Training Center, 130 W. Mason St. in Springfield. The Illinois SBDC is open for appointments Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours available.

The Illinois SBDC provides professional guidance for individuals wishing to start or grow a business. As a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and LLCC, nearly all SBDC services are provided free of charge. Clients are able to get assistance creating a business plan to get a loan, growing an existing business or moving a business dream to reality.

Kevin Lust, director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC, was interviewed by WICS news on the Illinois SBDC move to new offices at LLCC’s Capital City Training Center. Kevin was also interviewed on WTAX this morning regarding the move and services offered at Illinois SBDC.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC, located in Montgomery Hall, will host an Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship Business Workshop tomorrow, Dec. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The free workshop is sponsored by the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The workshop is designed to instruct new business start-ups and individuals who have an interest in entrepreneurship. Registration is available at https://adme-dec5.eventbrite.com or call 786-4530.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC, located in Montgomery Hall, will host an Advancing the Development of Minority Entrepreneurship Business Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The free workshop is sponsored by the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The workshop is designed to instruct new business start-ups and individuals who have an interest in entrepreneurship. Registration is available at https://adme-dec5.eventbrite.com or call 786-4530.

Kevin Lust, director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC, was chosen as the Sangamon CEO 2017 Person of the Year. Kevin received the honor, voted on by class members, at their graduation breakfast May 19.

The ISBDC at LLCC hosted Sangamon CEO March 22 for talks by three local entrepreneurs who were assisted by ISBDC, and May 4 for an address by Governor Bruce Rauner.

Sangamon CEO is a group of high school seniors who meet prior to the regular school day at various businesses and organizations to learn how to become entrepreneurs and creative thinkers who contribute to the economic development, innovation and sustainability of Sangamon County.

Wednesday, March 22 was National Small Business Development Day. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC welcomed the Sangamon CEO high school class of aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about starting and growing a business from ISBDC Director Kevin Lust and local entrepreneurs Chuck Jackson of I.D. Signs, Kim Leistner Root of Springfieldmoms.org, and Billy Williams of CTI Fiber.

Carlinville entrepreneurs Holly and Adam Crowe, who have been working with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at LLCC to get their business started, held a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday, Oct. 17, for the opening of their new store Crowe Boot & Shoe Co.

Crowe Boot & Shoe Co. is at 218 West Main Street in Carlinville and officially opened for business on Wednesday. Pictured at the ribbon-cutting are owners Holly and Adam Crowe with their son and daughter, Mayor Deanna Demuzio, ISBDC at LLCC Director Kevin Lust, along with family, friends, and neighboring business owners.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) moves Tuesday, Sept. 6 to Montgomery Hall on LLCC’s Springfield campus.

The ISBDC at LLCC offers consulting services and programs for individuals interested in starting or growing a business. Most of the services and programs provided by the ISBDC are offered at no cost to the client.

ISBCD’s hours of operation of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. will remain the same as at its previous location of #8 Old State Capitol Plaza in downtown Springfield. The Center’s new phone number is 217.786.4530 and its webpage remains at www.llcc.edu/sbdc.

“Our address has changed but our mission has not,” said ISBDC at LLCC Director Kevin Lust. “We will continue to provide guidance for business growth, whether for startups, or those already in business. We’re here to help.”

The new location offers the ISBDC ample office space with free parking for clients, Springfield Mass Transit District bus service, and access to the resources of the college including the library and computer labs. LLCC students will also be close to the resources of the ISBDC as they complete coursework and perhaps look to start their own businesses.

Lust said a schedule of “Starting Your Business in Illinois” workshops will be announced soon. The free workshops are designed for prospective business owners and provide information about preparing a business plan, financing a business, legal forms, registering a business name and taxes.