Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has received a $98,391 Rural Business Development Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Elevate CCIC (Cross County Innovation Center). The grant funding is for furnishings and audio/visual equipment for Elevate CCIC, a project of Mattoon in Motion, an affiliated fund of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation.
The Rural Business Development Grant supports projects that provide measurable results in helping rural communities build robust and sustainable economies through strategic investments in infrastructure, partnerships, and innovation.
Elevate CCIC is located in Rural King’s Cross County Mall in Mattoon. Once construction is complete, the business incubator will serve as a mixed-use, co-working space for small businesses, startups, and nonprofit organizations in Coles County and the region. Members will receive important business support services that have left the area due to state budget cuts. Elevate CCIC will also be the new home for ClassE students who are learning how to become the next generation of entrepreneurs in Coles County.
Earlier this year, Mattoon in Motion received $325,000 from Google.org to cover renovation costs for the facility.
