Business Resources (COVID-19)

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What is the Collier Community Assistance Program (CCAP)?

CCAP is a financial assistance program available to Collier County residents and small business owners affected by COVID-19. Applications for small business owners are closed. Visit the FAQs page to learn more.

Small Business Assistance

Small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural operations may qualify for assistance with past-due water and electric bills and repayment of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Your business(es) must be in Collier County, have a business tax license, hold a Sunbiz registration, and employ 100 or less full-time equivalent (FTE) staff. Applicants should select small business during the application process.

Business owners that own more than one business, with each business having its own employer identification number (EIN), and meets all other eligibility requirements, may apply for assistance for each business. An application must be submitted for each business. For past due water and electric bill assistance, the utility accounts must be in the name of each business. Each qualified applicant may receive a one-time grant of up to $25,000 toward EIDL repayment and utility assistance. Since this is a grant and not a loan, it does not need to be paid back.

Assistance for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing billions toward job retention and certain other expenses.

Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

The recent passage of a new COVID-19 relief package has expanded allowable and forgivable uses of PPP funds to include certain technology expenses, property damage due to public disturbances that are not covered by insurance, certain expenditures to a business supplier, and costs of personal protective equipment required to comply with federal, state, or local safety guidelines.  The package has also made modifications to other programs such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and microloans.

For assistance in completing these applications, contact your local Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office at sbdc@fgcu.edu or 239-745-3700.

Learn more about FGCU's RESTART SWFL Economic Recovery Initiative

News & Resources

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, (January 8, 2021) Governor Ron DeSantis announced the expansion of lending guidelines for the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund recently approved by the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) in partnership with EDA, is a revolving loan fund that targets industries identified by the state as key strategic markets for future growth and resiliency.

“My administration is committed to ensuring that Florida businesses remain strong and resilient,” said Governor DeSantis. “The expansion of lending guidelines for the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund program allows the state to provide access to capital that certain businesses may otherwise not be able to access.”

Up to $2.5 million in financing is now available for a single business applicant through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund. Loan participation with third-party lenders is also now available. These changes to lending guidelines will assist Florida businesses by offering higher funding levels at below-market interest rates and expand the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund’s availability to Florida businesses.

“Now more than ever, it is important for DEO to continue to champion programs that help Florida businesses gain access to affordable capital,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Dane Eagle. “The expansion of lending guidelines for the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund is an example of our commitment to ensure Florida businesses have resources available to continue to grow and prosper.”

In all Florida counties, up to $40 million is available to small businesses to create and enhance the diversification and resiliency of Florida’s economy. An additional $10 million is available to assist small businesses located in the following counties impacted by Hurricane Michael:  Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Taylor, Wakulla, and Washington. Financing is available for the following business purposes: inventory purchases, working capital needs, capital start-up loans, machinery and equipment purchases, equipment financing, and more.

For more information and to apply, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/RebuildFlorida/BusinessRecovery.

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