Focus on Manatee | Stay informed on economic recovery resources for businesses, employees
Economic recovery during this pandemic remains an ever-shifting landscape, so staying informed through reliable sources like the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. will continue to be important as your business rebounds.
The latest opportunity for assistance comes from Manatee County, which will distribute up to $70 million in federal CARES Act funding for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first phase of that money – $17.5 million – is earmarked to meet needs of residents, business owners, nonprofits, local government agencies and community partners.
Future funding will be applied through reimbursement, and the county is working with various entities to develop relevant programs.
A portion of phase-one funding will be dedicated to expanding Manatee County’s Safety First – Small Business Grant Program to help the hardest hit small businesses reopen safely for their employees and customers.
Eligible businesses can apply to receive up to $5,000 in grant funds. The application window opened on July 14 and closes when the county has received 500 applications or on July 24. If additional funds become available, a second round of applications could be accepted. Information and the application are online at www.mymanatee.org/manateecares.
The grant is designed to assist Manatee County’s small businesses (15 or fewer employees) that have been severely impacted by the Governor’s Safer at Home Order. Those sectors include retail, personal services, medical/dental practice, restaurant/bar/café, hospitality/tourism, and childcare services. Businesses may not apply if they have already taken advantage of the Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan or Paycheck Protection Program.
Funds may be used for re-opening sanitation and safety supplies, including personal protective equipment (PPE), signage, marketing, outdoor seating, inventory and materials, equipment and supplies, and software.
The county also plans to offer direct assistance for individuals and families, which could affect your employees or furloughed employees. Details are not yet available, but the county plans to expand the Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program to pay delinquent rent or mortgage and utilities to avoid foreclosure or eviction.
Additional resources would include food distribution that reaches citizens of Manatee County; temporary payments for childcare or camps to assist parents returning to work; and programs to meet social, medical, and educational needs resulting from COVID-19; and programs to retrain and retool employees in hardest hit industry sectors.
The Bradenton Area EDC has worked with regional partners on two more resources that could help your business and affected employees.
JobFocus.com is the online job bank for Manatee and Sarasota counties. Not a replacement for the state’s Employ Florida site, JobFocus.com is an additional – and locally focused – place for employers and job seekers to connect.
To help you source the PPE you need, preferably from a local business, the EDC has developed a listing of manufacturers and suppliers in Manatee and Sarasota counties. You’ll find it at https://bradentonareaedc.com/ppe-resources/.
Additional resources are listed on our COVID-19 page at www.BradentonAreaEDC.com/COVID19.
I want to assure businesses in our region that business organizations, government agencies and other partners share your sense of urgency and are working together, as quickly as possible, to bring resources to you. For updates from the EDC, please sign up at www.BradentonAreaEDC.com/updates.
Stay safe. Stay well. And let us know how we can help.
Sharon Hillstrom is president and chief executive officer of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (BradentonAreaEDC.com). She may be contacted at info@bradentonareaedc.com or 941 803-9036.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 11:53 AM.