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.