Greater Freeport Partnership outlines small-business outreach, reports three awardees from state grant assistance
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Summary
The Greater Freeport Partnership told the Stephenson County Board it assisted 22 businesses in a state small-business grant workshop, helped five apply and said three businesses received awards; the partnership also described local marketing campaigns, staffing additions and workforce data for September 2025.
Andrea Schultz Winter and Nicole Hans presented the Greater Freeport Partnership quarterly report to the Stephenson County Board, reviewing recent small-business outreach, marketing efforts and workforce data.
Schultz Winter said the Partnership recently filled two staff vacancies and highlighted a multi-channel local shopping campaign—billboards, streaming TV, radio and social media—plus a "partnership cash" program that can be spent at participating local businesses. Nicole Hans described a postcard-style countywide promotion and holiday events that supported downtown retailers.
On workforce data, the Partnership cited September 2025 figures showing 921 individuals in Stephenson County reported unemployed and over 1,300 unique local job postings in the same month; the Partnership said the median advertised wage in that month was a little over $35 an hour (approximately $73,000 annualized) and contrasted that with a 2025 median household income just under $62,000.
Schultz Winter described state small-business infrastructure grant work: a workshop with 22 businesses, direct assistance to five applicants and three awardees. The transcript records the Partnership's phrasing about award totals as "3 quarters of $1,000,000," which is unclear in the record; the Partnership said those awards will return funds to Stevenson (transcript spelling) County businesses and will be administered over a two-year cycle if awarded.
The presenters thanked the county for the board's earlier vote to provide a letter of support, which the Partnership said will accompany its application next week. They invited board members to upcoming Partnership events and programs.
What the board recorded: The board voted to approve a letter of support for the Partnership's Small Business Credit Initiative Technical Assistance application (motion by Mr. Brandt, second by Mr. Bush; one 'no' vote by Mrs. Demeester). The Partnership's presenters did not request any county funding at the meeting and the board took no additional action beyond approving the letter of support.
