For Immediate Release
Contact:  Jason Gerwig
630-407-6022
March 1, 2007

Schillerstrom Announces Small Business Loan

Victoria’s Kitchen in Wheaton Awarded $50,000

Chairman Robert Schillerstrom announced today that the DuPage County Department of Economic Development and Planning has awarded its third small business loan.

“Our business loan program is designed to assist DuPage County’s small businesses with start-up and expansion needs.  We want to keep these entrepreneurs in our County,” Chairman Schillerstrom said.  “Job creation comes from small business and all our economic development efforts are focused on creating and retaining jobs for our residents.” 

The $50,000 loan was awarded to Victoria's Kitchen late last fall to help with their start-up. Thanks in great part to the loan; Victoria’s Kitchen was able to hold their grand opening on February 7 of this year.  The Wheaton based business provides menu planning and main dish entrees as well as prepared fresh ingredients that customers can take home to prepare wholesome meals. The funds will be used to purchase equipment and increase inventory.

“Our primary purpose is to bring families back around the dinner table to share a high quality meal and the day’s events with one another,” Vicki Hankes, President of Victoria’s Kitchen said.  “We accomplish this for our customers by eliminating the tasks of menu development, shopping and prepping.”

The County previously granted loans to We Love Soy in Lombard and Chicago Computers in Naperville.

To qualify for the loan program, the business must be located in DuPage County, have a business plan and create one job for a county resident for each $20,000 of loan funds.

The terms of the loan cannot be longer than 10 years, the interest rate is set at 3% and the loan can only cover half of an equipment purchase or project price.  The College of DuPage Small Business Development Center offers assistance with developing the business plans, if needed.

To apply for a loan or for information about the County’s loan program, call Josh Grodzin at 630.407.6670.

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