Pinellas Offers Small Business Grants
Pinellas County is seeking to help small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pinellas CARES Small Business Grant is offering one-time $5,000 grants to help offset the temporary loss of revenue and to assist with retaining and paying employees.
The funds are available as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal stimulus package.
Even if your business doesn’t qualify for this program, it may still qualify for other funding programs. Visit the Pinellas County Economic Development website for a list of federal and state programs assisting businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Program Highlights
- $5,000 for qualifying small businesses with a physical location in Pinellas County (1-25 full-time employees, or equivalent part-time employees, including the owner).
- Restaurants, bars, short-term lodging and other non-essential businesses impacted by the local or state safer-at-home orders are eligible.
- Business must have been operating since at least October 1, 2019 and must demonstrate ongoing business operations as of February 29, 2020.
- Business should be fully operational after local and state emergency guidelines are rolled back.
- Larger businesses, non-profits and home-based businesses are not eligible.
- Funds can only be used to reimburse the cost of business interruption caused by required closures provided those costs are not paid by insurance or by another federal program. Such costs may include employee wages, vendors, rent or other business expenses.
- No reimbursement is required.
Here’s Some of What You’ll Need to Apply
- Completed W-9 form for business.
- Copy of “active” state business registration from Florida Division of Corporations.
- Individual (Sole Proprietors and individual/single-owner LLCs): 2019 Schedule C (Form 1040) OR If no 2019 Schedule C is available, provide 2018 Schedule C (Form 1040) and most recent Annual or Quarterly Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Statement.
- Corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, corporate Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs)): 2019 Corporation Income Tax Return (Form 1120 or 1120-S) OR if no 2019 tax return is available, provide 2018 tax return and Annual or Quarterly Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Statement.
- Partnerships: 2019 Return of Partnership Income (Form 1065) OR if no 2019 tax return is available, provide 2018 tax return and Annual or Quarterly Balance Sheet or Profit & Loss Statement
- W3 Summary, 1096 (from 2019) or IRS FORM 941 (from 1st quarter 2020 or, if not completed, 4th quarter 2019). Sole proprietors may complete and attach a certification stating that business owner is the sole proprietor with no additional employees or subcontracted workers.
- Updated and Current Municipal Business Tax Receipt, if applicable. Note that many cities and the unincorporated area do not require a business license.
How to Apply
- Gather all necessary documents, register for an account through the Pinellas County Participant Portal, and complete the application.
- The application deadline is June 1, 2020