COVID-19 CARES SMALL Business Assistance Program

Infographic of Round 1 and 2 of the Business Cares Act funding grant allocations

Round Two Funding Announced for 268 Small Businesses

Monroe County has released all $1 million allocated in the second round of the CARES Act Small Business Grant Program funding to 268 local small businesses with COVID-19 impacts. This is in addition to the 259 businesses that were funded in round 1. Businesses received grants based on completed applications submitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 359 total applications were received. Of the 268 funded applications, 159 sole proprietors received $2,500, 86 2-10 employee businesses received $5,000, and 23 11-25 employee businesses received $7,500. Funded businesses ranged from retail, food, galleries, charter fishing, and salons to photographers, property management, and fitness centers, among others.

There are 3 reasons why someone didn’t get funded:

  1. Incomplete application.
  2. Weren’t eligible (too many employees, multiple business applications with the same owner or same employees) *Businesses or business owners that were funded in the first round were not eligible for a second grant or additional funding for any other business they may own as the county would like to help as many affected businesses as possible. 
  3. App submitted after money was allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. 

Round One Funding Announced for 259 Small Businesses

Monroe County has released all $1 million allocated by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners for CARES Act Small Business Grant Program funding to 259 local small businesses with COVID-19 impacts. Businesses received grants based on completed applications submitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 577 applications were received. Of the 259 funded applications, 134 sole proprietors received $2,500, 109 2-10 employee businesses received $5,000, and 16 11-25 employee businesses received $7,500.