Habaneros Mexican Grill & Cantina in Moline will open a new location in Geneseo with the help of a rural revolving loan fund according to the Henry County economic development office.
Josue Sanchez, member/manager of Cruz Enterprises, LLC, which owns Habaneros, has been operating his restaurant in Moline at the South Park Mall since 2015.
He said he identified a perfect location to expand his business to Geneseo, leased the space, and started the build-out for the new restaurant in the Oakwood Ave strip mall. The restaurant is expected to open in October.
Henry County recently approved a $50,000 loan from its Rural Revolving Loan Fund, with the project creating five full-time and six part-time jobs on the site, as well as an on-site local manager, according to a RRLF news release.
The work includes framing the electrical room, framing the office and bar, a complete floor installation throughout the space, plumbing work, new restaurant-grade equipment, and a complete kitchen build-out.
The Henry County Rural Revolving Loan Fund Program (RRLF) operates two separate funds and has made 95 loans totaling $6.1 million on our legacy fund, and 38 loans totaling $1.4 million from our economic development fund, which have in return created and retained a combined 1,515 jobs in the Henry County, Illinois workforce.
Mr. Sanchez has run the South Park restaurant since 2017.
The Henry County Board has partnered with BankORION and Henry County RRLF, teaming up to finance the new restaurant. The RRLF monies are available to any new or existing business within Henry County.
For more information on the Henry County RRLF Programs contact Jim Kelly, Henry County Economic Development Director and RRLF Loan Administrator, at the Henry County Courthouse, (309) 937-3410.
