Some of the businesses that got the most PPP money in DuPage
A total of 40 businesses from 23 communities the Daily Herald covers in DuPage County received the top tier of loans through the federal Payroll Protection Program, U.S. Small Business Administration data show.
The businesses are among more than 3,300 in this portion of DuPage that received at least $150,000 from the program, which was created to decrease the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on the economy.
Top-tier loan applicants sought between $5 million and $10 million in the program, which offers loans that become forgivable, in whole or in part, if employers refrain from cutting jobs. DuPage County businesses that sought the largest loans available include:
• William T. Connelly Inc. in Addison.
• Andy Frain Services, Engineering Systems Inc. and Magnetrol International Holding Co. in Aurora.
• D & D Plumbing, Denk & Roche Builders, Just In Time Staffing and LEC Delaware LLC in Bensenville.
• TCC Wireless in Bloomingdale.
• American Litho in Carol Stream.
• Flexible Steel Lacing Co. and Sevan Multi-Site Solutions in Downers Grove.
• Patson Inc. and RG Construction Services in Elmhurst.
• Abcom Technology Group, American Academy of Pediatrics, Gift of Hope Organ Tissue Donor Network, Installation Specialists and National Safety Council in Itasca.
• Patrick Engineering in Lisle.
• Pernix Group, Progressive Packaging Corp., Quest Food Management Services and TRP Acquisition in Lombard.
• Phoenix Closures, Inproduction, Midwest Anesthesia Partners and Total Staffing Solutions in Naperville.
• AM Castle and Co., Blistex, Fourgen Holdings, Inland Investment Real Estate Service, Launch Technical Workforce Solutions, Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois, Summit Staffing and Witt Kieffer in Oak Brook.
• M&R US Acquisition in Roselle.
• Aligned Equity Partners, Plymouth Tube Co. and Symbria in Warrenville.
The loans, if forgiven, could turn into federal grants, financed by U.S. taxpayers.
A total of 3,171 businesses and nonprofits in the Daily Herald's DuPage County coverage area received smaller grants between $150,000 and $5 million.
No matter the amount, these federal loans and other local forms of assistance are helping businesses keep their doors open, said Greg Bedalov, president and CEO of the Choose DuPage economic development agency. For example, a relief program Choose DuPage is implementing in partnership with the county government so far has distributed roughly $5 million in forgivable loans to small businesses affected by the pandemic, Bedalov said.
The problem is many businesses need more ongoing assistance to avoid layoffs or closures, he said.
"Without additional funds, it's going to be very difficult for these businesses to survive," Bedalov said.