The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Joy Swearingen, Quill Correspondent
The Hancock County Board will coordinate a program to help small businesses in the county apply for funds for operating expenses.
The Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program is for establishments that have been in business for the past three years. They must have at least one full time employee as well as the owner, and not more than 50 employees.
The board approved taking part in the program during a special meeting Friday, May 1, in the large courtroom, allowing those present to space themselves throughout the room. Other board members, county mayors and interested persons attended via phone connection.
"What this will do is help the people that have been shut down by the virus, who might be starting up again if they meet these restrictions," explained Tom Rodgers, chairman of the special county board committee looking into the program.
If they qualify, these businesses can receive 60 days of operating capital not to exceed $25,000.
There are many steps to the program. The committee met earlier with several Hancock County mayors via Zoom and learned businesses are interested in taking part.
While each city could pursue help for businesses in their own towns, the mayors urged county board to become coordinator for the whole county to simplify the process.
Belynda Allen, Hancock County Economic Development coordinator, and Amy Graham, director of Carthage Community Development, have offered to help businesses and the county with the steps for application and approval.
"I understand where the mayors are coming from," Rodgers said. "I think we ought to do it."
"I know we have people suffering," added special committee member, Patsy Davis. "They just want to get back to work."
Pat Cramer, the third member on the committee, said he had talked with mayors.
"I think they are willing to work with us on this. We need a dedicated office where applications can be taken."
Having passed the resolution to move forward with the project, the committee plans to meet soon with Allen, Graham and State's Attorney, Rachel Mast, to create a time line for publicizing, accepting and processing the applications. They will work with educating businesses so they know if they can qualify.
Once applications are received, a hearing must be noticed and held for public comment on any of the applications before final approval. The deadline for the whole process is June 30.
Carthage Mayor Jim Nightingale and Warsaw Mayor Mike Heisler both addressed the county board via phone.
"We are going to work with you on this," said Nightingale. "We'll do the initial work. We aren't going to send you something that will take a lot of work. On behalf of the city of Carthage, we thank the county."
Businesses must have been established for three years. Materials from DCEO note that this is to show a track record of stability, and that the business would not be in need, but for the current emergency.
For more information, or to see if a business qualifies, call Allen at 217-440-8909; Graham at 217-357-3800; or the mayor of the town where the business is. All the application forms and a wealth of information on the program is provided at the Illinois DCEO website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/Communityinfrastructure/Pages/DownstateSmBizStabilizaition.aspx. (Editor's note: "Stabilization" is misspelled in the URL address, but must be spelled as it is above to access the site.)