Small business owners with locations in Collier County who employ 50 or fewer full-time employees should be aware of one-time grants available up to $25,000 intended to offset costs of business interruption as our economy slowly reopens. Applications open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2020, and close at noon on Monday, September 14, 2020. Visit CollierFLCares.com for more information and to apply.

“Small businesses are vital to our economy, and it is imperative that we help them and the families and communities they support,” said Sean Callahan, executive director of corporate business operations in Collier County. “I implore business owners who qualify to apply for these grants, while we have the funds available.”

Costs to reopen/relaunch must have been incurred by the required State Executive Order and may not have been covered by insurance or any other federal programs. This disbursement is part of the CollierCARES Small Business Relaunch and Rehire Program, distributing up to $10 million of the $67 million in total funds that Collier County received in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act emergency financial aid.

Eligibility will be determined by some of the following criteria:

• 50 or fewer full-time employees
• Business located within Collier County
• Business must occupy leased/commercial space
• Active business tax license and state registration
• Business has suffered economic damages exceeding the amount awarded from business interruption due to State Executive Order since March 1, 2020, excluding those covered by federal assistance and insurance; and, Signed waiver certifying no duplication of benefits

Personal protection equipment to help with the CDC compliance can be chosen during the application process.

If you need help applying online, go to any Collier County Library branch for assistance. Interested persons can sign up for email alerts as application portals open and as the deadline approaches on the website’s applications page. For general information about the CollierCARES program, call 239-252-8999 outside Collier County or 311 within Collier County