Reinvest DuPage Small Business Grant Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

When the COVID-19 public health emergency began, local businesses in DuPage County suffered as statewide restrictions impacted the number of customers coming through their doors. The DuPage County Board firmly believes the County’s small business community plays a large role in its economic development efforts. After DuPage County received federal relief dollars from Congress through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Chairman and the County Board identified one their highest priorities to be providing financial relief to small businesses that had been hit the hardest. The County established the Reinvest DuPage Small Business Grant Program (Reinvest DuPage) in May 2020, initially setting aside $7 million to assist small businesses. The County received a tremendous response to the first round of funding and dedicated additional funds to the program in 2020. The County allocated more money to the program after Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in early 2021. DuPage County provided nearly $36.7 million to assist more than 2,000 small businesses in recovery efforts. The response from businesses was overwhelmingly positive, with many saying that without these relief funds, their businesses would have permanently closed.