Kane Co. Eyes $10M Grant Program For Small Businesses, Nonprofits

KANE COUNTY, IL — The Kane County Board is one step away from creating programs worth a total of $10 million to support small businesses and nonprofits amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The board’s executive committee on Wednesday authorized a plan that would see Kane County use $8 million of its federal coronavirus-relief funding on small business grants and $2 million to help nonprofit health and social service organizations, according to a report by the Kane County Chronicle.

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The full county board is expected to approve the spending plan at its Sept. 8 meeting, the report states.

Kane County businesses can apply for a grant of up to $20,000 if they had 50 or less full-time employees as of March 1 and can show they lost income due to coronavirus-related restrictions, the report states.

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Businesses that were forced to close during the pandemic must have reopened by Aug. 1 to be eligible. Businesses that earned more than $2.5 million in gross revenue during 2019 will not be eligible for grants from the program.

Businesses that opened after Jan 1., 2019, will be eligible for grants of up to $10,000 if they meet the other qualifications, according to the report.

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The Kane County Chronicle reports banks, payday lenders, adult entertainment venues, and businesses in the marijuana and tobacco industries will not be eligible for grants.

Grants are intended to reimburse businesses for rent and mortgage payments and utility bills, as well as to help businesses cover the costs of coronavirus-related safety measures like disinfectants and personal protective equipment, the report states.

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The application window for small businesses and nonprofit organizations is set to be open from Sept. 14 to Oct. 2, Board Chairman Chriz Lauzen (R-Aurora) said.

Kane County received about $93 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

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In addition to the $10 million grant programs, the county is set to distribute between $30 million and $35 million to local municipalities. Kane County will keep about half of the federal funding to support its health department, sheriff’s office and information technology department, the report states.

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