More than $111M in Illinois B2B grants to be distributed…. and other important updates
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ResumeMcHenry County Update!
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 ResumeMcHenry 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!
Advance McHenry County grant to boost new MCC workforce center
One of McHenry County’s first investments through the Advance McHenry County program will pay back huge dividends to the community.
The $1.69 million that McHenry County College is receiving under the grant will support more than half the equipment costs for its new Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, a state-of-the-art career and technical learning center that will greatly expand its workforce training programs.
Its offerings – HVAC, welding, machining, and engineering technology, just to name a few – are based on local economic development plans and input from area employers to meet their needs and help ensure that program graduates can find good-paying local jobs. Ground on the 41,000-square-foot center is expected to be broken this summer. We’re thrilled to be a part of this!
The award is one of the first three the County Board approved last week. We’ll be highlighting the other recipients – Community High School District 155 and the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County – in future editions of ResumeMcHenry County, so stay tuned!
The federal government website where you can order four free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests is now accepting orders.
Order yours today by visiting COVIDtests.gov. Orders will typically ship in seven to 12 days. If you are in need of a test now, or are looking for another type of COVID test, click here for a list of resources.
The government also is making 400 million N95 masks available for free, starting later this week, to pharmacies and health centers nationwide. Click here for a list.
Remember, the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated – the vast majority of COVID hospitalizations are people who have not been immunized. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find clinics near you and to make an appointment.
Defenders helping plant county EV charging infrastructure
As electric vehicles become more and more common on McHenry County roads, so will charging stations, thanks in part to the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County.
The Defenders have been partnering with local governments to install them – the Defenders purchase the actual station, with the governments covering the needed infrastructure and installation. They’ve partnered so far with McHenry County to place stations at the County Courthouse, and with Woodstock and Crystal Lake to place them at their respective downtown Metra stations.
The Crystal Lake station will be opening soon, and all three stations will be receiving signage sporting the Defenders’ new logo.
Thank you to the Defenders for their hard work, which helps advance the goal in the McHenry County Strategic Plan to improve the county’s EV infrastructure!
People in Need Forum taking place Saturday
Mark your calendars this Saturday for McHenry County College’s annual People in Need Forum!
The virtual forum, from 8 a.m. to noon Jan. 29, showcases the many resources and services available to county residents needing assistance.
Exhibitors and speakers will cover issues such as immigration, senior care, caregiver resources, food insecurity, mental health, employment and many more. Besides helping people seeking assistance, the forum is an excellent resource and networking opportunity for social service agencies, faith-based organizations, civic groups, law enforcement, elected officials and others.
Visit www.mchenry.edu/pin to pre-register and get the link to virtually attend. The webpage also contains a downloadable PDF, in English and Spanish, of the most current directory of local resources. For more information, contact Jessica Rizza at 815-455-8556, or by email at jrizza@mchenry.edu.
More than $111 million in Illinois B2B grants disbursed so far
Governor Pritzker announced last week that Illinois has distributed more than $111 million in Back to Business Program grants.
The $250 million program, which opened last September, has awarded almost 3,000 grants to assist small businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, helps small businesses rehire staff, cover operating costs, and afford additional customer safety precautions. Grant awards range between $5,000 and $150,000, based on COVID losses incurred.
The application window closed last October, and businesses that applied before the deadline can check their request through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity application portal, which can be found by clicking here.
Groundhog Days celebrates 30th anniversary of movie filming
It was 30 years ago that a film crew descended on Woodstock and propelled it to global fame with a timeless movie (timeless in more ways than one – ask hapless weatherman Phil Connors).
Woodstock Groundhog Days returns this year for its annual six-day bash celebrating the cult classic. Festivities start this Friday with the Welcoming of the Groundhog, and end Feb. 2 with a day of events that – naturally – starts with Woodstock Willie’s prognostication on the Square.
Visit their website at www.woodstockgroundhog.org for a complete list of free and admission events, and follow them on Facebook for the latest updates.
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ResumeMcHenry 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.
