(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — When the coronavirus pandemic first hit, small businesses were some of the most impacted.
Senses to Soul School of Music in South Holland had only been open for a couple of years when it was forced to temporarily shut down.
“The momentum I had just hit a brick wall,” said owner Allen Kern. “I went from 30 students to like 8.”
Kern credits Cook County’s Small Business Assistance Program, which has provided roughly $29 million in grants to 4,000 small business owners.
“If I hadn’t gotten the funding, I would have had to fold,” he said.
Kern said he was three months behind on rent by the time the funding came through.
“It helped me pay my rent, it helped me pay my utility bills and to upgrade some of my equipment so I was able to add virtual lessons to my curriculum and that helped me bring in some income up to now.”
As Senses to Soul begins to welcome back students and plan for concert performances later this year, Kern said he’s cautiously optimistic about the future of his small business.
The Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program also offers free business advising, webinars and loan application assistance.
The program is ongoing, and people can apply at cookcountysmallbiz.org.