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1. What are the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grants?

The COVID-19 Small Business Grant(s) provide one-time assistance to eligible City of Fort Pierce businesses who have experienced total business closure, reduction in business hours, as a result of the Governor’s Executive Order and the COVID-19 pandemic only.  Eligible businesses must be able to continue to meet basic needs once assistance is provided.

The program is not designed to assist those who were not financially impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.   

2. Who is providing the funding for this program?

The City is utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, CARES Act funds, and local general revenue funds to support this program. The rules and regulations associated with Sections 420.9071-420.9079 F.S. chapter 67-37 F.A.C., and 24 CFR Part 570, will govern the use of the funds.

3. Who is eligible to receive assistance?

Businesses in the corporate city limits Fort Pierce.  You must be able to document that you had total business closure, reduction in business hours employment are a result of the COVID-19 pandemic only.

4. What requirements do I need to meet in order to qualify?

Grant requirements are as follows:

• Applicant(s)/Business(es) must have current City of Fort Pierce Business Tax Receipt.
• Applicant(s)/Business(es) must have documentable information to evidence complete business closure, reduction in business hours or employees, resulting in a loss of business income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
•  Business Financials:
  • Sole Proprietors
    • Schedule C with federal income tax return
    • Most recent Monthly or Quarterly Sales and Use Tax Report
• All other ownership types
  • 2018 or 2019 Federal Corporate Income Tax Return (form(s) 1040,1065,1120,1120S)
  • Most recent Monthly or Quarterly Sales and Use Tax Report
• Copy of Driver’s License, state id, voter registration or passport
• Full employee listing (as of January 1, 2020 – March 31, 2020)
• Payroll/Unemployment report prior to March 17, 2020

Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant (26-100 employees) must meet requirements above AND 

• Businesses must not have received any other federal assistance for COVID19 disaster relief.
• Must demonstrate Job Creation or Retention filled by or be available to people with lower income.

5. What types of businesses qualify?

Businesses that were impacted by the Governor’s Executive Order requiring industries to close.

*    Defined impacted eligible industries include:

•    Restaurant (includes full-service, limited-service, and café establishments)

•    Bar

•    Retail (physical brick-and-mortar establishment selling merchandise)

•    Personal Service

•    Hair, beauty, and other personal services (salons, barbers, massage parlors, tattoo, spas, etc.)

•    Personal care services (child, disabled, & elderly care services, funeral services, etc.)

•    Laundry services (dry cleaning, laundromats, garment repairs and alterations, etc.)

•    Cleaning services

•    Pet care services

•    Personal and household goods repairs & maintenance

•    Fitness centers and gyms

•    Event spaces & services