Through our collaboration with McHenry County, we will continue to share important information on stimulus programs, COVID-19 updates, and where the county is opening up through Resume McHenry County Updates.
Please take a moment to scroll down to see new advancements this week as more and more are opening up in McHenry County. If MCEDC can be of any help, please call. Forward this email to your friends and family to help get the word out!
FREE child care for low-income job seekers
Low-income Illinois parents seeking jobs will be eligible for up to three months of free child care, under an expansion of the state Child Care Assistance Program.
Starting Oct. 1, program eligibility will expand to parents who are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, provided they are unemployed and actively searching for work. Parents who find work, or who enroll in an education program within that three-month period, remain eligible for up to 12 months of assistance.
McHenry County parents who qualify must apply through Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C), which administers the assistance program here in McHenry County. You can click here for a copy of the application, which is available in English and Spanish, or you can call 815-758-8149, ext. 225, to have one mailed to you. Completed applications can be emailed to 4ccap@four-c.org, delivered by regular mail, or dropped off at 4-C’s office at 667 Ridgeview Drive, in McHenry.
People who don’t live in McHenry County can click here to learn the child care resource and referral agency through which to apply for the benefit.
SBA enhances Economic Injury Disaster Loan program
The US Small Business Administration has substantially increased the maximum amount for its Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, as businesses continue to struggle as a result of the delta variant of COVID-19.
The SBA raised the EIDL limit from $500,000 to $2 million and has also implemented a two-year deferment to start paying the loan back. Businesses can use EIDL money for many operating expenses; click here to learn more.
The increases are not limited to new borrowers – businesses that have already taken out loans under the program can apply for an increase. Businesses that received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program are also eligible for EIDL funding.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by offering a number of virtual workshops for Latino-owned businesses.
The events include:
· A Facebook Live presentation this Friday highlighting DCEO technical and financial resource assistance;
· A Sept. 28 webinar co-hosted by DCEO and Groupon regarding available financial resources and business tips;
· A Spanish-language presentation Sept. 30 regarding access to capital; and
· An Oct. 5 presentation on apprenticeships and how they help businesses and job seekers alike.
Click here to find links to register for the events.
New MCCD disc golf course gets high marks
Disc golf enthusiasts have high praise for the new and improved course at the Fel-Pro RRR Conservation Area.
Users of the UDisc App, which allows disc golfers to rate 10,000 courses worldwide, have ranked Fel-Pro’s course as the best within its 10-mile radius, and sixth-best within a 50-mile radius that covers the entire Chicagoland area.
The McHenry County Conservation District renovated the course and expanded it from nine holes to 18, and rave reviews have been pouring in since it was opened to the public on Labor Day weekend of last year.
Congratulations to MCCD for hitting a hole-in-one with disc golfers!
It’s harvest time – share the road with farm vehicles
McHenry County’s bountiful fields of corn, soybeans and other crops don’t pick themselves and send themselves off to market.
The third week of September is recognized nationwide as Farm Safety and Health Week to remind farmworkers to stay safe, especially as harvest season kicks into full gear.
Just because you’re not a farmer doesn’t mean you can’t do your part. We’re going to be sharing the road more often over the next few months with harvesters, transports, and other slow-moving farm vehicles. Please slow down and be patient, and be especially cautious when passing.
You can learn more about National Farm Safety and Health Week by clicking here.
Autumn Drive returns to McHenry County
With the lifting of COVID-19 capacity restrictions earlier this year, Resume McHenry County is featuring the return of its iconic attractions, and the founding of new ones.
It wouldn’t be autumn in McHenry County without the annual Autumn Drive.
The 33rd annual drive, which takes participants through a mosaic of rustic farms, beautiful crafts and antiques, and a palette of gorgeous fall colors, takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Friday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 17.
The annual event takes drivers on a beautiful self-guided drive to 14 farms and businesses in rural Woodstock and Marengo. You can find a map and learn more about this quintessential McHenry County institution from our friends at Visit McHenry County by clicking here.
We hope we got your attention. We need your help reaching more McHenry County residents and businesses to share this important information about the COVID-19 response and connect them with vital resources.
Please take these four steps:
1. Share/forward to your email/newsletter contacts.
2. Post information to your website.
3. Follow us on social media (see below); share our posts with your followers.
4. If you are not on the McHenry County Constant Contact list, please subscribe here
Follow McHenry County Government On Social Media
Staying connected and informed is more important now than ever! Follow McHenry County on social media for regular updates on COVID-19 in our region, resources to help you navigate the pandemic, safety tips and more!
Resume McHenry County is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents. The goal is to ensure a successful reopening of our economy so that we can return to our lifestyles safely and responsibly.
