Oswego announces second round of COVID-19 business relief grants

The village of Oswego has announced its second round of grant awards to local businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns.

In December, the village announced grant funding available to the village’s small businesses though the Federal CARES Act. After a first round of funding was quickly exhausted, the village secured a second round of federal funds to distribute to businesses in need.

In total between the two rounds, the village awarded $500,000 to a total of 99 village-based businesses.

“The village of Oswego continues to work hard to find as many available resources as possible for our businesses,” Village President Troy Parlier said in a statement issued by the village Tuesday, Jan. 19. “Oswego has rallied around its small businesses over the past year, and I am pleased that the village is doing its part to support those entrepreneurs who are at the heart of this community.”

Each business will be awarded between $500 and $15,000. The amounts awarded were based on the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the applicant business’s operations and the impact that the applicant business has in the community, including number of employees, scope of services, and customer base.

Sixty-six businesses were awarded funding in the first round of grant applications. Forty-six businesses were awarded in the second round. Of those, 13 businesses had already received grants in the first round and were eligible for additional funding in round two.

Businesses received funding for multiple needs, including loan forgiveness, restarting business operations, supporting restaurant operations, rent assistance, and general business support. Applicant businesses had to meet certain eligibility standards set by the Illinois DCEO and must enter into a state-required grant agreement.

The village continues to work with federal, state and local agencies to identify resources for local small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and related shutdowns. Businesses can find additional information on available COVID-19 relief programs as well as other resources for their business at www.oswegoil.org/business.

Business owners are also encouraged to sign up for email or text alerts from the village of Oswego at www.oswegoil.org/alerts for announcements about programs and resources as they become available.