Morton Updates:

On 4/22, join a session with Twin City Energy Services about how you can save on your business's energy costs! Session begins at 10:00 AM.

On 4/24, join us for Fourth Fridays: Gone Virtual from the comfort of your own home with music from Black Velvet, balloon art from The Unique Twist, and a workout with BRelentless Training! Tune in!

The Morton Public Library Board of Trustees has now approved a policy to temporarily extend services to non-residents during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This means all residents who live within the District 709 school boundaries, and who are not served by another library, may apply for a temporary digital card to allow access to e-books and other online resources through June 30, 2020. Use this link to apply: http://www.mortonlibrary.org/online-temporary-library-card/
Reminders: All previous bulletins and other resources listed at www.gpcovid.com . Resource requests from our community institutions listed at the end of this bulletin. Send any questions to bizinfo@greaterpeoriaedc.org .

Community Foundation of Central Illinois Accepting Grant Applications  
The Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) announces the first grant cycle for the Central Illinois Disaster Recovery Fund will begin accepting applications on April 22, 2020. The Fund will provide flexible financial support to nonprofit partners within the CFCI service area (a 50-mile radius of the city of Peoria, IL excluding Knox and McLean Counties), who are responding to increasing needs as a result of COVID-19. For the first cycle, applications are due Wednesday, April 29, 2020. Organizations may apply for up to $5,000. More information and the application can be found here .  Morton Chamber & EDC addition: The Morton Community Foundation has also announced a Morton Area Disaster Relief Fund for organizations serving those affected by COVID-19. Donate here.
 
Save Small Business Fund Application Window Closes After One Day
The US Chamber of Commerce Save Small Business Fund began accepting applications yesterday but received more than 15,000 applications in the first few hours, causing technical difficulties with their system. While they will begin awarding grants this week based on existing donations, they are no longer able to accept applications. Those who did submit an application will be notified if it results in a grant. For more information on the US Chamber’s collection of resources for managing in this crisis go here .

DCEO Emergency Relief Webinar for African American Businesses
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Economic Development Team, Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, and Small Business Association will be hosting technical assistance webinars specifically for African American Businesses and Workers on May 8 at 2 pm. More information and registration here .

Get Ready for the Rebound
Orbit Media provides a 26-point playbook to help companies prepare themselves for success after the economy is able to reopen. Article here .

Employers’ Guide to COVID-19
Local human resources and benefits firm The Wyman Group has assembled an 82-page toolkit for employers to navigate the variety of rules and programs concerning COVID-19. Download the toolkit here .

RESOURCE REQUESTS
  • Community Foundation of Central Illinois: Requesting monetary donations for the Central Illinois Disaster Recovery Fund. Information https://communityfoundationci.org/. 
  • UnityPoint Health: UnityPoint is seeking personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies. They are als in search of medical personnel to help them prepare in the event that there is an influx of sick patients. Information here.  
  • OSF Healthcare: OSF seeking personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators and other supplies. Information here.
  • Peoria Innovation Alliance: PIA is gathering the maker community to discuss ways individuals and small companies can make supplies like masks. Information here.
  • Heartland Health Services: Seeking personal protective equipment, medical supplies, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes unopened. More information here. 
  • UICOMP Accepting Handmade Masks – The University of Illinois College of Medicine is accepting donations of handmade masks. Details can be found here.
  • IWIRC: Seeking standard PPE such as N-95/surgical/home-made masks, face shields, gowns, and latex-free gloves. Donated supplies can be dropped off at their downtown Peoria clinic location at 736 SW Washington St. Information here. 
  • Morton Chamber & EDC addition: Community Harvest and Midwest Food Bank are soliciting monetary donations to help support the influx of requests for food.Visit their sites for more info.
  • Morton Chamber & EDC addition: Community United Church of Christ and Grace Church provided meals to Morton kids over Spring Break.To help cover some of the expenses, they are graciously accepting monetary donations. Checks can be made out to and mailed to Community United Church of Christ, 300 N. Main St, Morton, IL 61550 with the memo "School Meals".


Chris Setti
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Peoria Economic Development Council