Dat Donuts Recipient of $150,000 Business Grant
Dat Donuts is basking in the glow of receiving a $150,000 grant from Chase Bank, thanks to public support that helped garner the funding through the bank's Mission Main Street Grants program.
Darryl and Andrea Townson, owners of Dat Donuts, located at 82nd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago were joined by local and state government officials and other well-wishers last Friday for the check presentation.
“We applied in Oct. 2014 and was awarded the Chase Mission Main Street Grant. Our plan is to use the grant money for improvements to the business…the façade, employee training, equipment purchase, new employee hires," said Townson. We currently have 36 employees. We are also looking for an additional location and we’ll probably add about six new hires possibly. I’ve been scouting areas and people have been scouting us. We’ve been asked to come to the Northside again. We had a Northside location many years ago. We’ve been asked to come to so many different locations in the city and the suburbs.
Approximately 30,000 participants from around the country competed for a $3 million pot but only 20 lucky participants were awarded $150,000 grants each.
Laura Helmuth, Market Manager for Business Banking, Chase Bank Chicago, explained the criteria and how winners were selected.
“There were two really good stories here that captured our attention. For one, there is a great story about growth and adding jobs into the community and we’ve got a business that’s a local institution and I think the story of Darryl and Andrea (his wife) and how they’ve grown this business really resonated with the people who voted for them. They submitted their application and through social media told their story and captured votes and really caught the attention of our committee of people from various industries who made the final decision, which (entertainer) Nick Cannon was one of them. It’s a wonderful story and we’re thrilled to be able to present them with the check this morning. Mission Main Street is Chase’s way to say thank you to our customers and to the community. Dat Donuts really impressed the judges with their business plan.”
Ill. State Rep. Elgie Sims, Jr., (Dist.-34th) attended the event and commented on Dat Donuts saying, “This is a great partnership that we’re announcing that can bring jobs and economic development to the community and I’m so excited to be here for that.”
Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward) said, “I’m thrilled that Chase thought about one of our local businesses and they are doing the right thing. What I love about Darryl is that he’s here all day, all night, seven days a week. He’s become an icon in our community. People come from other parts of the city just to get our donuts and I’m so happy to have him here.”
The Townsons thanked Ald. Harris and others who turned out to support them.
Ill. Sen. Donne Trotter was there for the presentation and said, “The bottom line is you come for the donuts and you end up making new friends and that’s the kind of thing that comes out of a business. Businesses in large part, are the life blood of any community. We’re glad you are here and that you’re staying and fulfilling your dream right here in our community. Thank you, Chase for recognizing the value that comes from investing in groups like this.”
Openings for new applications starts in the fall. For more specific information, go to missionmainstreetgrants.com.
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