PHOTO RELEASE: Schneider Visits Tenth District Small Businesses Helped by COVID-19 Relief Programs During Small Business Assistance Tour
Above: Goode Foods owner Emile Johnson describes wares to Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10)
DEERFIELD, Il – On Tuesday, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) highlighted the impact of COVID-19 relief programs on small businesses across the Tenth District during his Small Business Assistance Tour. Schneider visited with four small businesses and their owners: Dave Thoenson at Tamarak Day Camp, Antonella Granito and her husband Nunzio at Bonta, Emile Johnson at Goode Foods, and Lacey Rust at Reverie Dance Academy to discuss how COVID-19 relief programs helped their business stay afloat during the pandemic. Congressman Schneider's office helped the businessowners apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) or Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans.
"Our small businesses are on the front lines of the pandemic. Too many small businessowners were sadly forced to shut their doors or cease operations indefinitely. I am proud to have helped get relief funding to small businesses in the Tenth District by passing the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. After meeting with Dave, Emile, Lacey and Antonella and Nunzio Granito, I am grateful to know that the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan did what they were supposed to do: get people back to work and help small businesses safely reopen," said Schneider.
Above: Congressman Brad Schneider meets with Tamarak Day Camp Directors Dave and Lucy Thoenson to discuss the impact of COVID-19 relief programs on their small business
Schneider met with Dave and Lucy Thoenson, the directors of Tamarak Day Camp in Lincolnshire. Schneider's office helped Thoenson apply for and receive Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of $150,000 from the Small Business Administration. Tamarak Day Camp was founded in 1946 to provide a safe, fun camp experience for children that emphasizes skill development, sportsmanship, respect for the environment, and group skills.
Above: Congressman Brad Schneider with Nunzio Granito at Bonta
Schneider next met with Emile Johnson, the President & CEO of the black-owned small business, Goode Foods in Lincolnshire. Schneider's office helped Johnson apply for and receive an EIDL loan of $150,000 from the SBA. Emile's family-owned business aims to provide food low in sugar and sodium with no added preservatives in order to combat the obesity epidemic spreading across America.
Above: Congressman Brad Schneider meets with Lacey Rust, the founder of woman-owned small business Reverie Dance Academy in Buffalo Grove
Schneider also met with Lacey Rust, the owner and artistic director of the woman-owned small business Reverie Dance Academy in Buffalo Grove. Schneider's office helped Rust apply for an EIDL loan of $50,000 and a $10,000 EIDL advance. Rust founded her business in 2010 and it quickly became a staple serving the Buffalo Grove and Long Grove community. Lacey teaches all dance disciplines at all levels to youth and pre-professional dancers across the Tenth District. The studio is also home to the award-winning Reverie Dance Company. Before receiving COVID-19 relief assistance, Rust feared she would have to close her doors indefinitely and stop paying her 20 employees. Thanks to Rust's perseverance and the government assistance, her employees haven't missed a paycheck through the pandemic.