Schneider Visits Buffalo Grove Business Helped By COVID-19 Relief

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Congressman Brad Schneider (D-Deerfield) highlighted the impact of COVID-19 relief programs on small businesses across the Tenth District during his Small Business Assistance Tour earlier this week.

Schneider visited with four small businesses and their owners: Dave Thoenson at Tamarak Day Camp, Antonella Granito and her husband Nunzio at Bonta, Emile Johnson at Goode Foods, and Lacey Rust at Reverie Dance Academy to discuss how COVID-19 relief programs helped their business stay afloat during the pandemic, according to a news release. Schneider’s office helped the business owners apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans or Paycheck Protection Program Loans.

Schneider met with Lacey Rust, the owner and artistic director of the woman-owned small business Reverie Dance Academy in Buffalo Grove. Schneider’s office helped Rust apply for an EIDL loan of $50,000 and a $10,000 EIDL advance, according to the news release.

Rust founded her business in 2010 and it quickly became a staple serving the Buffalo Grove and Long Grove community. She teaches all dance disciplines at all levels to youth and pre-professional dancers across the Tenth District. The studio is also home to the award-winning Reverie Dance Company.

Before receiving COVID-19 relief assistance, Rust feared she would have to close her doors indefinitely and stop paying her 20 employees. Thanks to Rust’s perseverance and the government assistance, her employees haven’t missed a paycheck through the pandemic, according to the news release.

“Our small businesses are on the front lines of the pandemic. Too many small business owners were sadly forced to shut their doors or cease operations indefinitely," Schneider said. "I am proud to have helped get relief funding to small businesses in the Tenth District by passing the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan."

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