Libertyville Businesses Get $170K In COVID Relief Funding

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Village officials have awarded $170,000 in relief funding for local businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The High Five grant program is meant to offset the extraordinary expenses incurred by businesses in Libertyville. Grants were awarded in two stages with 92 businesses receiving $1,000 awards in the initial round of applications and 78 of those businesses qualifying for an additional $1,000 in a second round of disbursements.

The High Five grant was funded by the village of Libertyville through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, according to a news release. Program funding was received from the state of Illinois through the ARPA.

The program was designed to help offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by reimbursing local businesses for certain expenses not previously reimbursed by other forgivable loan programs or pandemic-related grants, according to a news release. Priority was given to those businesses that have walk-in traffic, are in commercial zoning districts, are woman- or minority-owned, and have not received additional grant resources.

Kristine Knutson, owner of How Impressive in Libertyville, said the grant helped her business tremendously during the pandemic.

“Our village continues to reach out to store and restaurant owners to help us in any way they can. I have lived in this town for 27 years and wouldn’t have my shop in any other community - the local customers and companies are so great, loyal, and dedicated to each and every one of us," Knutson said.

In addition to its retail sales, Knutson’s business specializes in invitations and personalized items for special events, many of which were affected by the pandemic.

“We are proud of our local businesses as they continue to work through the impacts of COVID-19 in service of their community. The village board recognizes the financial hardship caused by the pandemic," Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson said. "The High Five program is an example of the programming implemented to assist local businesses during this challenging time of work force issues and increased costs with inventory. I applaud the resilience of our local businesses.”