Kankakee Times

The president and CEO of the Manteno Chamber of Commerce said some small businesses are altering their business models during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has proved to be successful. 

Sarah Marion told the Daily Journal that some businesses that have been able to keep their doors open are cutting expenses and reducing the way things are done to adjust to the pandemic. Others are actually adding staff members and expanding operations.

“Some of our businesses like Urban Farmer are even hiring due to demand,” she said. 

But not all businesses are seeing success during the pandemic. 

“Even businesses that have remained open have seen significant declines in traffic and revenue,” Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Emily Poff told the Daily Journal. “The hospitality industry, including restaurants, bars, hotels and entertainment, as well as retail and service industries have experienced a severe slowdown and even halt in business.”

Marion said businesses getting hit harder are getting help from grants. 

“Small businesses are extremely important to Kankakee County’s community and economy,” Poff told the Daily Journal. “Small businesses fill an important role that makes our community a home and a place that our larger industries choose to invest and operate.”

Both Marion and Poff are encouraging business owners to apply for grants to help their businesses. 

“Both the Manteno Chamber and our friends at the Kankakee County Chamber are working hard to share as many viable grant and loan programs as we can,” Marion told the Daily Journal. “My advice is don’t give up. As a Chamber, we are starting to shift our focus toward recovery plans — and we will be working diligently with our local partners on a plan to reopening our businesses’ doors, assisting them in any way we can.”