Yesterday, the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) board unanimously approved a $250,000 disaster assistance program for economically distressed businesses within the Greater Frenchtown / Southside (GFS) CRA district to aid with impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are now available online at Talgov.com/CRA.
“This is another way we are assisting small businesses in the Greater Frenchtown and Southside CRA district,” said Mayor John Dailey who also serves as the Chair of the CRA. “I am pleased that my colleagues and I unanimously supported putting $250,000 into the hands of local business owners suffering from the impacts of COVID-19.”
Eligible businesses include those that operate in the GFS district; opened prior to March 18, 2020; have current business registration, and provide a demonstrated negative impact of COVID-19. Applicants who received a COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief (CEDR) Grant through the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality are not eligible for a CRA disaster assistance program grant.
Approved grant recipients will receive $2,000. Funds will be processed and distributed within 10 days of an approved application. The program will run on a first-come, first-served basis until designated funds are depleted.
In addition to the disaster assistance grant, businesses can receive up to $50,000 through the CRA Business Facility Improvement Program (BFIP), which funds improvements to the façade of commercial structures and properties located within the boundaries of the GFS district. The first $20,000 of the grant does not require a match by the applicant. Grant funds from the annual BFIP are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are available throughout the fiscal year until all funds are committed.
To learn more and apply for a disaster assistance program grant, visit Talgov.com/CRA.