Will County is committed to supporting the response to and recovery from COVID-19. The County, using the allocation of over $134 million from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), a part of the American Rescue Plan.

On September 8, 2022, the Will County Executive Committee approved the Economic Development Grant Program, offering $10 million in funds for entities to apply for to support programs addressing negative economic impacts of the pandemic and to provide direct aid to industries impacted by the pandemic. The application period opened on November 1, 2022 and will close on December 30, 2022.

There is minimum consideration for any applicant includes:

  • Located in and/or services Will County residents
  • Aligns with Department of Treasury guidelines as an impacted non-profit or small business

The Economic Grant Program includes DIRECT AID TO IMPACTED INDUSTRIES as follows:

  • Assistance To Impacted Nonprofit Organizations
    • Decreased revenue (e.g., from donations and fees)
    • Financial insecurity
    • Increased costs (e.g., uncompensated increases in service need)
    • Capacity to weather financial hardship
    • Challenges covering payroll, rent or mortgage, and other operating costs
    • DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED NONPROFITS
    • Nonprofits operating in Qualified Census Tracts
  • Aid To Small Businesses
    • Small businesses have faced widespread challenges due to the pandemic, including periods of shutdown, declines in revenue, or increased costs. The final rule provides many tools for recipients to respond to the impacts of the pandemic on small businesses, or disproportionate impacts on businesses where pre-existing disparities like lack of access to capital compounded the pandemic’s effects. Small businesses eligible for assistance are those that experienced negative economic impacts or disproportionate impacts of the pandemic and meet the definition of “small business,” specifically:
    • Have no more than 500 employees, and
    • Are a small business concern as defined in section 3 of the Small Business.
  • Impacted Small Businesses
    • Decreased revenue or gross receipts
    • Financial insecurity
    • Increased costs
    • Capacity to weather financial hardship
    • Challenges covering payroll, rent or mortgage, and other operating costs
  • Disproportionately Impacted Small Businesses
    • Nonprofits operating in Qualified Census Tracts

Online Application – Aid to Impacted Industries

Printable Application – Aid to Impacted Industries

Please contact me for a free consultation on how to proceed and for additional information on the grant guidelines and program framework.