Small business owners in Rochelle are eligible for a helping hand from the city in the midst of the pandemic.
"Restart Rochelle" will offer grants to non-essential businesses that have been closed by the governor's orders. Grants will be up to $5,000 and can be used to cover rent, mortgage, utilities and insurance fees accrued while the business has been closed.
“Our small businesses are a critical piece of the local economy,” Mayor John Bearrows told the Rochelle News-Leader. “Putting money in the hands of our entrepreneurs to cover the costs that haven’t gone away during the pandemic is just one way we can help.”
To qualify, businesses must have 15 or fewer employees, including the owner, and have a brick-and-mortar presence within Rochelle city limits. Home-based businesses are not eligible.
“We saw the need for a local program when many of our small businesses were unable to receive federal funding during the closure,” City Manager Jeff Fiegenschuh said. “Businesses receiving this local grant will not have to repay the money to the city.”
Applications can be found online. A grant review committee is reviewing applications and disbursing funds as quickly as possible, and a total of $200,000 is available for the program and grants will be awarded until the funds are depleted.
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