Kankakee, IL – Mayor Wells-Armstrong and the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) are proud to launch the Bounce Back Kankakee grant program for small business owners and residents. ECDA will start accepting applications on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
Kankakee, IL – Mayor Wells-Armstrong and the Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) are proud to launch the Bounce Back Kankakee grant program for small business owners and residents. ECDA will start accepting applications on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. The goal of the Bounce Back Kankakee Residential program is to provide rental and utility assistance for households experiencing a hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the program will aid in maintaining residency numbers and prevent homelessness across the City. The goal of the Bounce Back Kankakee Small Business program is to support small businesses which have experienced hardships due to the pandemic, thus allowing business owners to retain employees and sustain operations.
“This administration recognizes the hardships and the impact COVID-19 continues to have on our community. We are pleased to announce additional resources in the City of Kankakee as it is my goal to help our residents and business owners during this critical time. While we work through this pandemic together, we will continue to move Kankakee Forward,” said Mayor Wells-Armstrong.
The City of Kankakee will be receiving $345,619.00 in CARES Act funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the annual entitlement allocation from the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG). The ECDA team is supplementing CARES Act funding by allocating $155,000.00 from the City’s 2019 CDBG funds to provide additional assistance to city residents and businesses through the Bounce Back Kankakee program. “Through our community outreach we heard from our residents, local business owners and landlords regarding the hardships created by this pandemic,” comments Executive Director, Brewer-Watson, “The ECDA team worked diligently to create this program so that we can help those most in need.”
To qualify for the Bounce Back Kankakee Business program, a business must have an active business license from the City of Kankakee, 10 or less employees, and have been in operations since February 15, 2020 or prior. The CARES Act legislation has established additional steps in the application process but once completed, businesses can receive up to $4,000.00 to pay for eligible expenses to include rent, utilities, one-time cleaning costs and technical services.
To qualify for the Bounce Back Kankakee Residential program, a resident must prove residency as of March 13, 2020 and loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents can receive up to $3,000.00 to pay for eligible expenses including mortgage, rent, utilities, and internet bills covered by this grant program. Owners of rental property are exempt from the Bounce Back Kankakee Residential program; however, they are encouraged to have renters apply. Executive Director, Brewer-Watson, notes through the application process, funds will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis until they are depleted. Applications and eligibility information can be found on the City of Kankakee’s website at www.citykankakee-il.gov. For more information or questions, please contact a member of the ECDA team at 815.933.0506 or by email at yourvoice@citykankakee-il.gov.
A portion of the CARES Act funds will be distributed to local service agencies working to provide rental and food assistance in the City of Kankakee.
Kankakee Economic and Community Development Agency (ECDA) is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Kankakee residents and enhance the economic vitality of communities through housing, economic development and community development. The ECDA administers programs that serve the neighborhoods and residents of the City of Kankakee provided by federal, state, and local funding.
For more information, contact the ECDA at (815) 933-0506 Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
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The City of Kankakee is dedicated to protecting, building and nurturing the community while enhancing lives. We are a historic, vibrant, and active riverfront community. We continue to transform into an extraordinary place to dream, grow, and thrive. Embracing our diversity, we strive to be progressive, inclusive, and innovative. For more information on the City of Kankakee, please visit the website at www.citykankakee-il.gov.