ST. CHARLES — The St. Charles City Council voted 7-2 Monday night to approve a $750,000 microgrant program aimed at helping small businesses cover renovation costs, signage upgrades, and facade improvements along the Main Street and Randall Road commercial corridors.
The program, which will begin accepting applications Aug. 4, will distribute individual grants of up to $25,000 to qualifying businesses with fewer than 20 employees that have operated in the city for at least two years. City administrator Greg Marhoul said 14 businesses have already expressed interest during a preliminary outreach period conducted in May and early June.