TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — On Monday, the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) announced the closure of its COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief Grant Program after awarding grants to 487 local businesses.
On March 25, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors, made up of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Tallahassee Commissioners, held an emergency meeting and activated the grant program.
Within 10 business days of activation, and continuing through Monday, the program received an "enormous response" from businesses impacted by the pandemic, which resulted in all funds being allocated to 487 businesses with more than 4,400 employees in total.
Because all the funds were distributed, the CEDR Grant application is closing prior to the April 24 deadline. No additional applications will be accepted at this time.
The CEDR Grant Program dedicated $1 million in local funds to leverage and align with up to $800 million federal funds to assist local small businesses. The grant, administered by OEV, was created to provide initial cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. Funds were released on a rolling basis.
“The quick action by the IA Board to provide initial grant relief served 487 of small business, all who have been overwhelming grateful for this initial lifeline,” OEV Director Cristina Paredes said. “While coronavirus pandemic still leaves a lot of uncertainty, please know that our team at the Office of Economic Vitality is here to help answer your questions regarding business assistance programs at the local, state, and federal level.”
On April 15, the IA Board will meet again to evaluate the CEDR grant and discuss additional options for aiding the business community throughout the pandemic as well through recovery.
