Small Business Resources

U.S. Small Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
-3/17/2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). READ MORE

• • DCEO has provided this form as a way for business owners to report anticipated impact of COVID-19 to their business:
    https://form.jotform.com/200717156003039

• DeKalb County Unites -Small Business Task Force

  • Help Keep Our Businesses Stay Strong

We’re here to connect you to information and resources to make your entrepreneurial enterprise a success.

• Starting a business in DeKalb County allows you access to resources and services offered by the DeKalb County entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Business planning, counseling and mentoring is offered by Fox Valley SCORE, NIU EIGERlabs, and Waubonsee Community College’s-Small Business Development Center.
• The DeKalb County Business Incubator is available to assist home-based and startup businesses in that transitional phase by providing office space to nurture growing ideas.
• The Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations around the county are eager to welcome and network businesses for long-term success.
  • DeKalb
  • Sycamore
  • Genoa
  • Kirkland
  • Waterman-Shabbona
  • Hinckley
  • Sandwich

• Kishwaukee College offers business education and training events for DeKalb County businesses.
• Our economic development partners (Sandwich EDC and http://dcedc.org/) facilitate the overall business retention and attraction efforts to leverage our county’s assets for business growth across all sectors.

Online Resources

• AARP Foundation – Work for Yourself@50+
  • More than 20 million people over the age of 50 are at risk of not having enough income to meet their basic needs. AARP Foundation’s Work for Yourself@50+ makes it easy for older adults to explore self-employment options to increase their financial stability.
    AARP Foundation Work for yourself@50+ Toolkit
    Learn more at: https://workforyourself.aarpfoundation.org/

For more information on small business resources and information available to you in DeKalb County, please contact Jolene Willis, Economic Development Coordinator.

Jolene Willis
Economic Development Coordinator
Community Development Department

Administration Building
110 E. Sycamore St, Sycamore, IL 60178
Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 815-895-7188
Email:  smallbusiness@dekalbcounty.org