Willowharbor Credit, a small-business funding broker in Bloomington, Illinois, works with El Paso, IL owners by phone and online. ZIP 61738 had 115 employer establishments in 2023, and 61.7 percent had fewer than five employees. We explain funding structures and route requests to lending partners, who make every decision.
| Counties | McLean County, IL and Woodford County, IL |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 18.0 miles north of Bloomington, IL |
| ZIP 61738 employers | 115 in 2023 (Census ZBP) |
| Largest sector | Retail trade, 23 establishments |
| Under five employees | 61.7% of ZIP 61738 employers |
A town in two counties
El Paso, IL lies partly in McLean County and partly in Woodford County, so neither county's figures describe it. This page uses only figures for the town's own postal ZIP code and for its residents.
ZIP 61738 by the numbers
ZIP 61738 had 115 employer establishments in 2023, with 1,347 paid employees and about $83.4 million in annual payroll (U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023). El Paso, IL covers only about 2.5 percent of the ZIP's land, so most of the ZIP's land is outside the town, and the counts include businesses there.
| Sector | Establishments | Under 5 employees |
|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 23 | 47.8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 14 | 35.7% |
| Other services | 14 | 78.6% |
| Construction | 12 | 100% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 7 | 71.4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 7 | 71.4% |
| Administrative and support services | 7 | 57.1% |
| Health care and social assistance | 6 | 50.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023.
Very small employers dominate
Of the ZIP's 115 employer establishments, 61.7 percent had fewer than five employees, well above the 44.3 percent in ZIP 61701, which covers downtown Bloomington, IL. Every one of the 12 construction employers was in that smallest size class. For businesses this size, partners usually lean on bank statements and the owner's personal credit more than on formal financial statements, so clean, separate business banking matters.
Self-employment in El Paso, IL
An estimated 7.6 percent of employed El Paso, IL residents were self-employed (American Community Survey 2020-2024), but the margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 points, so the figure is a rough indication only. Most of it, about 6.8 percent, was in unincorporated businesses.
Funding questions from El Paso, IL owners
With retail, food service and one-person trades leading the ZIP, the questions we expect are about vehicles and tools for trades, kitchen equipment, and stock for shops. Those map to equipment financing, working capital and inventory financing. A merchant cash advance is not a loan, and should be weighed only after loan options.
Reaching us from El Paso, IL
Call (309) 225-6781 or send the short form; there is no need to drive to Bloomington, IL. The Bloomington, IL page covers our address and the county, and every area we serve lists the other towns.
El Paso, IL businesses we help
Our lending partners have confirmed they fund contractors and construction trades, restaurants and food service, medical and dental practices and retailers and wholesalers that carry stock, and Willowharbor Credit works with businesses like these in El Paso, IL. Each partner still decides case by case.
Paperwork partners commonly ask for
- Business and personal tax returns for the latest year
- A year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet
- Government-issued ID for each owner
- Proof of ownership and business registration
- Details of any loans, leases or advances the business already carries
- For equipment, the seller's quote with make, model and price
Partners differ in what they request; this list covers the usual ground. Our document guide explains each item.
What happens after you reach out
- You call (309) 225-6781 or send the short form (name, contact details and business name). When we speak, we ask what the money is for, how long you have been in business and roughly what the business brings in.
- We walk through the funding types that suit that purpose and the paperwork partners tend to ask for. Nothing goes out until you say so.
- Once you agree, the request goes to partners that provide that type of funding. The credit decision belongs to each partner.
- If a partner makes an offer, you compare the total cost, payment schedule and terms. You are never obligated to accept.
Our address: 113 E Monroe St, Bloomington, IL 61701.
By Willowharbor Credit · Updated