Greater Freeport Partnership outlines small-business supports, reports $725,000 in state grants to local firms

The Greater Freeport Partnership presented its quarterly report to the City of Freeport Council, saying partnership staff helped three local businesses win nearly $725,000 in state small-business infrastructure grant awards and previewing programs to support entrepreneurs.

The presentation, delivered by Partnership staff Andrea, emphasized small-business supports in the fourth quarter and recent staffing additions. Andrea said, “we have hired a new economic development manager and a new membership direct[or],” and described outreach that included a multichannel local-shopping campaign and an expanded holiday-event program.

Why it matters: the Partnership framed the grant wins and events as steps to keep consumer dollars local and to connect employers with jobseekers, while workforce data in the report highlighted persistent openings across the county.

Partnership staff highlighted several initiatives. Nicole described a local-shopping campaign that used radio, billboards, online and social channels and promoted a Partnership 'cash' gift-card program usable at about 40 area merchants. Significant fourth-quarter events included Downtown Freeport's Mistletoe Walk (Nov. 22) with new “living windows” and the use of the Karcher Block Pocket Park, Lena’s hometown Christmas parade on Dec. 5 with nearly 40 floats, and a 'Holiday Hustle' merchant promotion.

Andrea reviewed labor-market figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security for September 2025, saying Stephenson County had 921 people unemployed and more than 1,300 unique job postings. She said the median wage on those postings was about $35 per hour (roughly $73,000 per year), and contrasted that with a 2025 median household income in Stephenson County reported by the census of just under $62,000.

On grants, Andrea said the Partnership hosted an informational session in January 2025 attended by about 22 businesses, worked with five serious applicants and that three local businesses were awarded grants. “So $725,000 is coming back between these 3 businesses to help them grow,” she said, adding awardees have two years to expend funds under their project scopes. The Partnership said it will continue to assist winners with grant administration and project support.

The Partnership also announced two programs: a 12-week 'Base Camp' for entrepreneurs beginning Jan. 20 (evening classes) and a year-long CEO program for Freeport High School juniors and seniors in partnership with the Foundation for Northwest Illinois planned for 2026. Andrea said another grant application is underway to expand small-business support capacity.

Council members asked clarifying questions about attracting industry. Alderman Johnson asked whether 'well number 12' would address water/sewer constraints for industry leads; Partnership staff said the new well might help but capacity figures were not immediately known and that building suitability (including required floor-to-ceiling height) and available land frequently constrain manufacturers more than water supply alone.

The Partnership closed by urging interested entrepreneurs to contact the Partnership office for program details.