The Lake CARES Business Assistance Grant Program – a $16 million grant program assisting Lake County businesses – will continue accepting applications until Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. The program has updated qualifying criteria and increased award amounts. Applications received before the deadline will be considered for the new award levels, as well as any additional awards that could be retroactively made if the initial funding is not immediately expended. The federal funding is being made available to Lake County through the State of Florida.
Awards to qualified businesses and organizations will range from $4,000 to $30,000 as follows:
- Self-employed/sole proprietor: $4,000
- Businesses with 2-9 employees: $10,000
- Businesses with 10-25 employees: $15,000
- Businesses with 26-50 employees: $20,000
- Businesses with more than 50 employees $30,000
- Non-profits and Chambers of Commerce (no employee requirement): $10,000
The new award amounts will be retroactive to all applicants previously approved and included in the first round of payments, as well as all new applicants.
The new qualification criteria now include businesses that were legally in operation prior to February 15, 2020. Previously the date to prove operations was January 1, 2020.
For additional information on how to apply for the Lake CARES Business Assistance Grant Program, visit http://www.reopenlake.com#cares. Additionally, the CARES Act program helpline is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (352) 268-9299.
