ROCHELLE — News Media, Inc. newspapers, the parent company of The Rochelle News-Leader, has established a $100,000 matching space grant to help local businesses get back to full strength by subsidizing local marketing efforts through matching advertising dollars.

“We know businesses and workers here are hurting,” said Mike Feltes, RNL general manager. “We’re hurting, too. But if we can pull together as a community, we can weather this. Here at the Rochelle News-Leader, we want to do everything we can to help everyone get through the pandemic and get back to work. With these matching space grants, we can help local businesses tell their story as they rebuild.” 

Businesses operating in the Rochelle market can apply for a matching grant of up to $10,000 today at https://rochellenews-leader.com/communitymarketinggrant/. Applicants will receive a response to their application within one to two business days.

The matching space grant is open to all locally owned and operated businesses impacted by the coronavirus whether or not they are current Rochelle News-Leader advertisers. The matching grant can be used for local print and online advertising in the Rochelle News-Leader and on www.rochellenews-leader.com between April 15 and June 30, 2020.

“Community journalism is only as strong as the community it serves,” Feltes said. “As a family owned business operating for almost 45 years, we know the only way to get through tough times is to stand with our partners, customers and readers. We are proud to offer any assistance we can to locally owned businesses, which are the heartbeat of the community we publish in.”

For more information and to apply, visit https://rochellenews-leader.com/communitymarketinggrant/.