Will County Board to create another small business grant program

In anticipation of receiving additional federal relief money, the Will County Board took steps during a special meeting last Friday to continue providing help to small businesses.

The board voted to authorize the county executive to establish another grant program for Will County businesses impacted by the pandemic, according to a news release.

County officials expect more money to come from the American Rescue Plan, which is making its way through Congress. They said they’re taking pro-active steps to continue providing aid to small businesses affected.

“Our Will County community has been impacted on many levels and this is one of our efforts that we continue to advance to help all our residents,” Speaker Mimi Cowan, D-Naperville, said in the release. “Working together we are aggressively seeking to help those throughout our diverse community that still need relief from the COVID crisis. I am confident we will offer help to those in the underserved areas of Will County.”

County officials touted the success of the first round of small business relief grants given out from the $120 million Will County received via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act last year. More than 1,400 businesses in the county received about $21 million in grants from the CARES Act funds.

The Bronner Group, a consulting firm hired to help the county administer CARES Act funds, told officials the county could see another $135 million from the American Rescue Plan.

The next iteration of a grant program will be designed with a particular focus on businesses which had not receive prior aid from the county and those in the hardest hit areas.

“Our small businesses and working families hit hard by the economic impacts of COVID-19 need continued assistance, and this framework approved by the Board today will ensure that disproportionately impacted communities and businesses receive their fair share of support,” Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant said in the release.

The program offers grants to businesses located in Will County with fewer than 50 employees and annual revenues under $5 million. The grants specifically helped with expenses like payroll costs, rent or mortgage, or the purchase of personal protective equipment and sanitation supplies.

The County Board also voted to authorize the Will County Emergency Management Agency to use up to $500,000 for the vaccination effort. The EMA has been evaluating various locations to use for vaccination sites.