SomerCor Partnered with City of Chicago to Help Hundreds of Microbusinesses

SomerCor is proud to have partnered with the City of Chicago to administer the City of Chicago Microbusiness Recovery Grant. The program awarded $5,000 grants to nearly 1000 small businesses across 36 low- and moderate-income community areas. The efforts of our staff ensured that much needed capital was received quickly and efficiently.

The Microbusiness Recovery Grant targeted businesses that may not have access to other financing, have four or fewer employees, and reported less than $250,000 in revenues. This  relief provided aid to some most in need. Per the official release from the City of Chicago:

“Small and micro businesses operating in low income areas are the heart of their communities and we know that many of these businesses have been left out of other emergency funding options,†said Rosa Escareno, BACP Commissioner. “It was important to us to build a program that filled those gaps and I am proud of the relief that we have delivered to nearly 1,000 businesses.â€

The success of this grant program is about more than numbers – it is about the stories of the individual community entrepreneurs.

“I want to thank Mayor Lightfoot for recognizing that neighborhood businesses like ours can act as community anchors for local residents,†said William Ball, owner of Abundance Bakery (Grand Boulevard). “While we are still weathering this storm, it’s supports like these that will give our 29-year-old business the resiliency to get back on our feet and lay the foundation for a strong and speedy recovery.”

“Me and my team are realizing that the impact and effects of Covid-19 on us all may be extended much longer than we anticipated,†said Emily Carlson, owner and founder of Solstice Stained Glass (McKinley Park). “Without people being able to work together safely, without clients being comfortable that we are working with their best interests in mind, without our hearts and passion in what we do, we would not be able to offer a quality product.  But we are optimistic, we are agile, and with the help of of the City of Chicago and SomerCor, we will get through this.â€

For more information on COVID-19 response resources visit the City of Chicago Coronavirus Response Center and SomerCor’s Small Business Resource Page.