The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced that more than $275 million in close to 9,000 emergency assistance grants have been made to small businesses across the state through the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program. Grants were made available to applicants from a wide range of small businesses including three located in Lawrence County. According to information released, Lasata Wines LLC, MM Associates LLC, and the Lawrence County Junior Fair Association recieved funding in Round 2 of the program. The grants were focused on industries and communities hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. DCEO also reports that the latest grants concluded the BIG program.