Grants of up to $4,000 to be awarded to qualifying St. Lucie County home-based businesses to aid in economic recovery efforts.

St. Lucie Recovers Small Business Assistance grants program opened a special phase on November 9 to provide economic relief to home-based businesses in St. Lucie County impacted by COVID-19, with some new criteria.

Grants up to $4,000, which do not have to be repaid, will be allocated on a first come, first-served basis to qualifying businesses. (Non-home-based businesses with 1-50 employees and total revenue of less than $5 million are still eligible and encouraged to apply.) Funding is available to companies experiencing business disruption and who have suffered economic injury due to COVID-19.

Grant funds can be used to cover mortgage, rent, utilities, and new operational expenses needed to ensure safety measures are in place on a reimbursement basis but will not be approved to replace lost revenue. A home-based business may claim reimbursement for expenses for the business use of the home. The time period the business was closed or curtailed operations due to the COVID-19 public health emergency is March 2020 through the application submission.

The process has been made as simple as possible, with a web portal www.recoverstlucie.org that contains guidelines and eligibility requirements, as well as a checklist of documents needed before completing the online application. If all necessary documentation is pulled together in advance it can take as little as 30 minutes to complete the application. Incomplete or inaccurate information could lead to a delay in processing or denial. Eligibility requirements also apply and should be reviewed carefully before spending time submitting an application.

St. Lucie County received $13.8 million from the State of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds are being used to assist residents as well as businesses, with about $3 million allocated specifically for small business assistance grants. The application process is being administered by St. Lucie County.

For more details, including eligibility requirements and the online application, go to www.recoverstlucie.org or call 772.336.6285.

Source: Economic Development Council