Flagler County is reopening new applications from small businesses for the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act federal stimulus monies beginning Monday afternoon.
Previously closed in August
The application process was closed late in August as close to 1,000 applications have been accepted and all of the grant money received to date for small businesses – $2.4 million – has been distributed. It is unclear when the state of Florida will send Flagler County the next round of funding or how much it will be.
“It has always been our goal to pump the grant monies into the economy as quickly as we possibly can,” said Tourism Director Amy Lukasik. “We want to ensure we have gone through the approval process with our businesses so that when funding is allocated, we can distribute those monies right away.”
The process remains closed for new applications to assist individuals negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have reached our quota for the $5 million allocated for the grants,” said Health and Human Services
Director Joyce Bishop. “We are still processing those applications. It takes time to process and verify 5,000 applications. We appreciate residents’ patience as we work to get the funding out as quickly as we can.”
Initial Individual Assistance funding of $624,052 has been distributed to date. As with the business grants allocation, Flagler County awaits on the State of Florida for additional funding.
“We will contact individuals by the email listed on their applications if there is a problem,” Bishop said. “It will come from the email address CaresIAGrant@flaglercounty.org.”
How will it be used?
The State of Florida pledged $20 million CARES Act money to individuals, businesses, and governmental entities to Flagler County, but has allocated only 25% of those funds. The money will be used as follows:
- $5 million for local government expenses, including municipalities and constitutional officers
- $10 million for Business Grant Program
- $5 million for Individual Financial Assistance
These funds may be used for a variety of COVID-19 related government expenses, as well as assistance programs for residents and businesses negatively fiscally impacted by COVID-19. Flagler County will distribute the funds as outlined in the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the State of Florida.