06.04.21

Durbin, Duckworth, Kelly Announce $372,000 In CARES Act Funding For Southland Development Authority

CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) today announced that the Southland Development Authority in Cook County, Illinois, has been awarded $372,500 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s funding will support the Southland Equitable Recovery Stimulus Program, which will provide businesses with immediate pandemic recovery assistance such as access to working capital, reopening services to ensure safe and efficient operations in light of the pandemic, and long-term recovery and growth planning and assistance.

“Small and local businesses paid a heavy price because of this pandemic. These CARES Acts funds can help these businesses and smaller communities on the South Side of Chicago get back on their feet, create jobs, and invest for a bright future,” Durbin said.

“This pandemic has hit countless small and local businesses hard,” said Duckworth. “Federal investments like these help create a more equitable and resilient economy for entrepreneurs, and I’ll keep advocating for the resources that communities need in order to grow and thrive.”

“The CARES Act funding continues to support our small businesses and help rebuild our economy as we move past the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kelly. “I am glad to see this funding working in our community and I will continue working to support our local businesses.”

"There’s still a tremendous need for businesses to prepare themselves to pursue assistance that’s available for pandemic recovery, and they need help in that preparation,” said Bo Kemp, Chief Executive Officer of the Southland Development Authority. “We’re grateful for the assistance and acknowledgement from the EDA and the offices of Senators Durbin, Duckworth, and Rep. Kelly, as well as our close partners at Cook County, because it will help us serve business owners who need a helping hand and advice they can trust.” 

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