Libertyville is closing applications for its High Five Grant program after having awarded $170,000 to businesses in town.
Officials said the program, created in July of last year, was awarded in two stages, with 92 businesses receiving $1,000 each during the first round, and 78 of those qualifying for an additional $1,000.
Mayor Donna Johnson said in a release the program’s design was to help businesses in town combat the financial shortcomings created by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are proud of our local businesses as they continue to work through the impacts of COVID-19 in service of their community,” Johnson said in the release.
The program was created last year and set aside a pool of $100,000 for businesses. Originally, the program gave an opportunity for $500 in grant money, paid for using the first round of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Between last year and this year, the village will receive about $2.7 million through the legislation.
In the months after it was created, the village opted to expand the grant program after it was projected to receive more than anticipated in federal funding, doubling the pot of money to $200,000, and making businesses eligible to receive $1,000 each. The change also made room to allow for up to $2,000 depending on the number of applicants.
Part of that change included expanding who was eligible for the money. Originally, the program targeted businesses that had not received any federal or state funding, but in October was changed to allow those who had received under a certain amount of money to be eligible.
Heather Rowe, economic development manager for the village, estimates about 100 businesses applied for the money, with less than 10 being turned away. When the program was rolled out, she said officials expected about that many to apply.
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“We recognize the ongoing burden the pandemic has had to local businesses,” Rowe said. “The Village Board was happy to be able to offer this program to alleviate some of the impact.”
Rowe said the village has not yet decided what it will do with the remaining $30,000 from the program, but specified it needs to be used for purposes spelled out in ARPA, such as business support or other emergency response uses. Moving forward, she said the goal is to continue promoting the “From Libertyville With Love” campaign, which aims at promoting residents shopping locally.
Both Rowe and Erin Baynes, marketing analyst for the village, said the reception for the program from businesses has been positive.
“We received a couple of … thank you notes at the village expressing gratitude for the program,” Baynes told Pioneer Press. “Overall, it was a tremendous success.”
Kristine Knutson, owner of How Impressive in Libertyville, which is a business that specializes in invitations and personalized items for events, said in a release from the village the program “significantly” helped her business.
“I have lived in this town for 27 years and wouldn’t have my shop in any other community,” she said in the release. “The local customers and companies are so great, loyal and dedicated to each and every one of us.”
Christina Garrison, owner of Bootery Boutique in Libertyville, told Pioneer Press she did not apply for the grant program. She said she thought it might be a lot of work with the potential to not receive the money. Still, she hopes the village will continue to promote shopping locally.
“I think there’s a lot to offer (locally),” she said. “Just keep on marketing that message.”