- November 22, 2024
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Small businesses in Flagler County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic have to date received the $2.4 million in CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act federal stimulus money that was sent to Flagler County from the state.
“We want businesses to continue to apply for grants so that everything is in place when we get additional monies. We want to be able to continue to pump that money into the economy as quickly as possible.”
— AMY LUKASIK, Flagler County tourism director
Officials anxiously await the remainder of the funds allocated by the state of Florida.
“As of Monday (Aug. 17), all of the funds that we were initially provided to support our small businesses have been exhausted,” said Tourism Director Amy Lukasik. “We want businesses to continue to apply for grants so that everything is in place when we get additional monies. We want to be able to continue to pump that money into the economy as quickly as possible.”
County Administrator Jerry Cameron said in an interview on Flagler Broadcasting's Free For All Friday news radio show Aug. 14 the the county has had to retrain tourism staff and hire temporary workers to interview people and ensure the money is being distributed appropriately.
"The state essentially put us in the situation of being a grants administrator," Cameron said. He added later, "This business of giving away money is not that easy."
This portion of the CARES program allows small businesses to access grant money to help cover business expenses, including employee wages, mortgage, rent, vendor invoices, utility bills, payroll and other costs to offset the financial impact due to business interruption or closures as a result of COVID-19.
Qualified small businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for funding at the following levels:
The grant is targeted specifically to help local small businesses with its principal location in Flagler County, established before March 1, 2020. All applicants will be required to affirm and upload relevant business documents to be considered for the program.
Applications are processed in batches, and checks are cut and distributed once a week.
“If you have applied, but have not been notified that a check is ready – or that your business has been denied – you are in queue,” Lukasik said. “We are just waiting for more funds to be made available for distribution.”
Small business applicants must attest:
501(c)(3) applicants must attest:
For required documentation and additional information, go to www.flaglercounty.org.
— Brian McMillan contributed to this story.
CORRECTION: This story initially gave an incorrect figure for the amount of CARES Act money that has already been distributed in Flagler County. The correct number is $2.4 million.
