Grants To Help 105 Aurora Businesses Weather Coronavirus Pandemic

AURORA, IL — More than 100 Aurora businesses are set to receive a much-needed boost from the City of Aurora, after aldermen approved grants of up to $15,000 to help them offset some of their pandemic-related losses.

Aurora officials said more than 260 businesses applied for financial support from the city's Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund.

Clinic To Vaccinate 3K Aurora Residents Thursday; Register Today

The fund is set to distribute $683,000 during its first round of grants, which each business to receive between $1,500 and $15,000.

City officials were still reviewing 25 applications last week, but there would be money left in the $1.2 million fund even if all remaining applications were approved.

Texas Family Used Aurora Address To Commit Voter Fraud: Officials

The city's CERF fund was established as part of a package of coronavirus-relief programs for Aurora businesses.

The Aurora City Council also approved a three-month break of collecting food and beverage taxes and additional relief for restaurants and bars through a yearlong pause on license fees for businesses with onsite-consumption liquor licenses.

125 School Employees Out Sick After Getting 2nd Vaccine: Report

City officials expected to provide about $1 million in relief through the food and beverage tax break, but its value is likely to be closer to $600,000, said Martin Lyons, Aurora’s chief financial officer.

Money left in the city’s coronavirus-relief funds could be used to support businesses that received no funding from other sources, or on a rent-relief program to help residents and businesses, Lyons said.

REGIONAL NEWS:

• Infant's Death Ruled A Homicide: Elgin Police
• Gone In 15 Minutes: 2K Score Tickets To Mass Vaccine Clinic
• Aurora To Get $2.2M In Rebuild Illinois Transportation Grants
  
• 125 School Employees Out Sick After Getting 2nd Vaccine: Report