The LeeCares programs will begin accepting applications at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 2020. You can apply online by visiting this webpage or call (239) 533-CARE for assistance

These funds come from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Congress designated a portion of funds to go to local governments to meet urgent financial needs within communities.

The Lee CARES Small Business Relaunch Grant offers emergency relief to small businesses facing serious financial loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of these funds is to provide temporary financial relief to those most impacted by the pandemic and resulting business closures.

Rent payments, mortgage payments, water utility, and electric utility qualify for assistance payments. 

Small businesses in Lee County that have suffered significant, temporary loss of revenue or job losses directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly businesses that have been directly affected by state and local business closure orders, are eligible. Please keep reading for specific eligibility criteria. This program is intended to help offset the unintended costs of reopening or relaunching a small business as a result of being determined non-essential per Governor Desantis' Safer at Home Act.

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Funds can be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures.  Grant funding can be used for business expenses, such as employees' wages, mortgage, rent, vendor invoices, utility bills, payroll and other costs, so long as these expenses are not paid for by insurance or another federal assistance program.

These grants aim to provide gap funding to allow businesses to seek additional assistance offered through state and federal programs for other losses not covered by this grant. Visit  https://www.leegov.com/covid-19/businessfor resources. 

Lee County has set aside $25 million in emergency relief funds for eligible small businesses to each receive a one-time grant of $5,000. This $5,000 is not a loan and does not need to be reimbursed.

The purpose of the Lee CARES PPE program is to support small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic so they may re-open or re-launch as safely as possible and follow CDC guidance. 

Lee County small businesses in certain industry segments can register for PPE by going to www.LeeFLCares.com.  If you are unable to access the Internet or have a language barrier, please call 239-533-2273.

PPE supply kits will be supplied to small businesses in Lee County that employ one (1) to 25 employees, in specific industry segments that are heavily involved with public interaction.  Only the following business segments are eligible to receive PPE supplies:

• medical and dental practices with less than 25 employees
• child care services and youth camps
• museums and historical sites
• amusement and recreation centers
• independent restaurants with fewer than 25 employees
• barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons and personal care services
• Not for Profits that have high contact with the public   
  

You will be emailed a confirmation receipt after applying for the Lee CARES PPE for Small Businesses kit. You will need to print out or save the confirmation receipt on your phone to show at pick up. 

PPE kits will be divided into two sizes: one for businesses with 1-10 employees and one for businesses with 11-25 employees.  Each kit will have a predetermined quantity of surgical masks, rubber gloves and hand sanitizer, while supplies last. 

If you forget your confirmation receipt, either printed or saved on your phone, you will not be able to pick up your PPE kit. You will be asked to return to the drive-up site during the same window of availability, once you have the necessary information to receive your kit.

During the application process, all small businesses will select a window of time to pick up their PPE kit. If they miss that window, their kit will be returned to the general stock and the order will be canceled. You must re-apply in order to obtain a new schedule to up a kit, pending availability.

Households with income that has been impacted by Governor DeSantis’ Safer at Home Act and childcare is a necessary expense to return to work.

United Way's network of Gold Seal providers who offer quality childcare programming. The Gold Seal Quality Care program designation is available to providers who gain accreditation for a higher level of care and supervision provided to children.