Glenview magician Randy Bernstein couldn't eliminate COVID-19, but he won a $20,000 grant from Cook County to “promote post-pandemic economic resiliency.” He is one of dozens of businesses in the northern suburbs who recently found out they are getting a deal. ”
“This is truly a magical experience for me,” said Bernstein, who has operated Magic by Randy in Glenview for more than 20 years.
“I'm very lucky and excited to be able to continue performing for a living,” he said. “I have friends who have lost their businesses and friends who are celebrities due to the coronavirus.”
The 2023 Source Grant comes from Cook County and is part of a $50 million “investment in both urban neighborhoods and suburban communities” made in response to COVID-19. . The small business received a $10,000 and $20,000 grant to promote post-pandemic economic resiliency through the Cook County Small Business Program.
Cook County Commission President Toni Preckwinkle said more than 16,000 applications were reviewed for funding and 3,000 winners were selected through a lottery, including Magic by Randy. Recipients were notified of their award in mid-December and received their donations in January. .
“Cook County's small businesses face uncharted territory in the post-pandemic economy, and this grant will provide them with the stability they need to grow in 2024 and beyond,” Preckwinkle said in the release. “Small businesses have shown unique tenacity and persistence in surviving the pandemic and are an important asset to our communities.”
County officials said 60 percent of the recipients are in suburban Cook County, and 60 percent are in “priority areas” such as arts and entertainment. Childcare and social assistance. Hospitality, food, tourism. retail trade; and transportation and warehousing. Forty-five veteran-owned businesses also received grants.
Like many other performers, Bernstein said the pandemic lockdowns were “cruel” to his bottom line, with his business down 100% at one point in the early days of COVID-19. Told.
“It's very exciting for me because I think there are many other businesses that were similarly impacted but didn't receive this grant,” he said. “Thank you very much.”
Cook County will use $50 million of the $1 billion it received from the American Rescue Plan Act, the economic stimulus bill signed by President Joe Biden in 2021, into the 2023 funding grant program, according to Preckwinkle's office. It was used as funds. The program's original goal was to distribute $40 million, he said, but received additional funding due to “overwhelming interest.”
According to information from Cook Country, grants can be used for business expenses such as payroll, operating expenses, lease or rent payments, and acquiring inventory essential to the business, but cannot be used for “capital improvements or personal expenses.” is said to be unusable.
“This allows us to constantly consider new marketing opportunities,” says Bernstein. “It’s very exciting for me because I think there are a lot of other companies that have been similarly affected but haven’t been able to embrace this. I’m really grateful.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter for the Pioneer Press.
