Manatee Residents May Be Eligible For Federal Coronavirus Funds

BRADENTON, FL — Manatee County officials are planning a series of Zoom meetings to help residents understand how they can take advantage of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds that will be distributed throughout the county.

"Manatee County officials will go over details on when and how to apply for millions of dollars in Manatee CARES Act funds during two virtual meetings this week," county officials said in announcing the events.

The first meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday for local small business owners with 15 or fewer employees who experienced financial losses as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Funds are available to help with sanitation expenses, PPE, signage and marketing, outdoor seating, renovations to comply with social distancing, inventory, equipment, supplies and software.

The second meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, will focus on nonprofit agencies, hospitals, medical, mental health and substance abuse providers .

Funds are available for expanded COVID-19 testing, antibody testing and contact tracing as well as training on effective disinfecting and sanitizing practices as well as for personal protective equipment.

A third virtual meeting will be held later this month on how individuals can apply for CARES Act funds if they lost their job or experienced financial losses related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Full details and Zoom meeting links can be found here.

Manatee County Commissioners in June approved a plan to provide financial assistance of $17.5 million to help those hardest by the pandemic. The funding is from the first round of CARES money that has been distributed by the state of Florida.

Manatee County plans to distribute its share in four categories: Public health/safety (30 percent), economic recovery (30 percent), community health and wellbeing (30 percent) as well as government and community facilities (10 percent).

The funds can only be used for expenses incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30 that stem from the coronavirus.

For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501.