Help small businesses by buying local

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corp. is partnering with DeKalb County UNITES to support small business during the COVID-19 crisis.

DeKalb County UNITES stands for University and Neighbors Investing Together for Economic Success, a partnership focused on helping small businesses remain viable during this period of mandated restrictions and economic uncertainty.

DCEDC President Cohen Barnes, owner of Sundog IT, and Rena Cotsones, associate VP of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development at Northern Illinois University, co-chair the partnership.

One initiative involves reaching out to large businesses and institutions to identify and support their needs while encouraging them to buy local goods and services from more vulnerable small businesses. The Business Outreach Group has been in touch more than 60 of these organizations.

Response has been outstanding with 90% of the businesses contacted committing to increased local business purchases and other small business support. Most were already actively engaged in local purchasing and many have been willing to consider additional types of purchases and to accelerate or advance purchases where possible.

Businesses are buying carry-out food or boxed meals for employees. Other purchases include printing, cleaning supplies and services, PPE supplies, marketing materials or premiums, and trucking. Some are sourcing hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes, as well as masks for employees.

While restaurants and other small businesses are grateful for the orders, the large companies and institutions appreciate the outreach and the invitations to participate in the community-based initiative.

Participating companies and institutions include agribusiness, contractors, craft beverage companies, educational institutions, health care providers, distribution companies, manufacturers, and real estate firms. Banks are working overtime processing Paycheck Protection Program and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans.

Numerous small businesses providing goods and services are represented by the DeKalb, Genoa, Sandwich and Sycamore chambers of commerce. The Daily Chronicle has established a link on its website to a list of restaurants providing carryout and delivery.

Businesses and institutions throughout DeKalb County are participating – from Kingston and Genoa to Waterman and Sandwich – with DeKalb, Sycamore, Cortland and Malta in between.

Outreach has generated referrals and connections among businesses and institutions resulting in transactions that help sustain small businesses hampered by restricted operations.

Participating companies and institutions include the following, and more are pledging their support every day:

3M, Alexander Lumber, Alfredo’s Iron Works, Algus Packaging, Armoloy, Bayer, Brad Manning Ford, Bethany Animal Hospital, Black Hawk Moving & Storage, By Grainger, Construction Trades Council, Curran Contracting, Custom Aluminum Products, Daily Chronicle, Dawn Equipment, DeCal Works, DeKalb County Community Foundation, DeKalb School District 428, DeKalb Forge, DeKalb-Sycamore Chevrolet, Buick & GMC, DHL/Goodyear, Elgiloy Specialty Metals, Elliott & Wood, ENCAP, Fabtek Aero, Ideal Industries, First Midwest Bank, First National Bank, First State Bank, Hayes Body Shop, Heartland Bank & Trust, Illinois Community Credit Union, Kishwaukee College, Kishwaukee Education Consortium, Mason Properties, Meadowvale, Menards, MPP Sycamore Container, Nehring Electric Works, Nestle, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern Medicine, Old Second National Bank, Resource Bank, Sauber Manufacturing, Schnucks, Sisler’s Ice, SK Express, Sycamore School District 427, Target, Tate & Lyle, Testing Service Corp., The Suter Co., Walt Ltd., Waste Management of Illinois, Whiskey Acres and Zea Mays.

In addition, DeKalb County UNITES is hosting "Getting Ready for the Recovery," a series of webinars with local experts and small businesses to share their experience and expertise to navigate COVID-19 and prepare for recovery. The webinars are live at 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Webinar registration and access are provided at https://www.dekalbcountyunites.com/webinars.

Two DeKalb County UNITES volunteers are providing office hours to help small business owners apply for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program.

Office hours with Cohen Barnes
at Sundog IT are from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 30 at
230 E. Lincoln Highway, Suite 200, DeKalb. Barnes can be reached at 815-991-2402 or email Cohenb@sundogit.com.

Office hours with Brian Oster at OC Creative are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 30 at 1600 E. Lincoln Highway, Suite D, DeKalb. Oster can be reached at 815-756-8000 or email Brian@OCcreates.com.

For additional information, visit www.dekalbcountyunites.com.