County Announces Pinellas CARES Small Business Grants For Small Business

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Pinellas County small businesses hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic can now apply online for a one-time grant of $5,000 to cover expenses such as employee wages, vendor bills and mortgage or rent costs.

Pinellas CARES Small Business Grants will assist businesses that had to close or significantly reduce operations due to the pandemic and the resulting statewide orders to curb the spread of the virus. Grants are limited to businesses with a commercial location in the county. Full program details can be found here.

Grant Eligibility Overview

• $5,000 for qualifying small businesses with a physical location in Pinellas County (1-25 full-time employees, or equivalent part-time employees, including the owner)
• Restaurants, bars, short-term lodging and non-essential businesses impacted by the local or state safer-at-home orders are eligible
• Larger businesses, non-profits and home-based businesses are not eligible
• Funds can be used to pay employee wages, vendors, rent or other business expenses
• No reimbursement is required
• Businesses can only apply for this one-time assistance program to cover COVID-19 related costs that are not paid by insurance or by another federal program.

Pinellas CARES funds come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Congress designated a portion of funds to go to local governments to meet urgent financial needs within communities.

A separate county fund targeted to assist individuals and families who need emergency help paying rent or utilities is also available. Details about Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance can be found here.

This press release was produced by the Pinellas County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.