CAPE CORAL, Fla – Friday is an important day for small business owners working to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current application window for the LeeCARES Small Business Relaunch Assistance Program is set close at 5:00 p.m.
Applicants who do not apply by the deadline will have to wait until later this month, and that's so long as there's still funds left.
This is the program that offers the one-time, $5,000 relaunch grants.
The money comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It's for small businesses with one to 25 employees who as of March 1, were closed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Safer at Home Order.
The money is to help offset the unintended costs of reopening or relaunching, including things like sanitation, signage or marketing.
The county said it plans to reopen an application window June 22, subject to availability of funds.
In the meantime, it will continue to assess and process the nearly 2,200 applications received since the program launched May 26.
Click hereto learn more. Application instructions also are available in Spanish by calling 239-533-2273 (or 239-LEE-CARES). Applicants without internet access can also call that number. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
