City of Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero touches on the developing COVID-19 pandemic, the reopening of the Berwyn community, and the resources the BDC pushed out to the Business community. In 2021, more than $6 million were brought in to 130 Berwyn businesses through the Illinois Back 2 Business Grant, the Shuttered Venue Operator Grant, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, the Child Care Restoration Grant, and second round of Illinois Business Interruption Grants. We also saw Paycheck Protection Program loans converted to grants this year, with more than $41 million forgiven for over 1,000 Berwyn businesses. In 2021, the BDC was recognized as a Community Navigator through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. As a Community Navigator, BDC staff provide one-on-one business counseling on topics from marketing to financing – completely free of charge.
On a local level, the City of Berwyn in partnership with the Berwyn Development Corporation are excited to announce two new programs to support local businesses in 2022. The Berwyn Shops on Roosevelt Road