Citrus County Cares Act

Citrus County Cares News Release on Citrus County’s website

Citrus County CARES Act Phone: (352) 527-5449

Citrus County was initially provided $6.5 million in emergency relief funds to support the small businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds are available as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security {CARES} Act federal stimulus package.

Citrus County will provide emergency financial support through the Citrus County CARES Small Business Grant for qualified small businesses that are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to orders to close or limit operations.

This program is intended to help offset the significant, temporary loss of revenue to these qualified businesses during this pandemic, and to assist businesses in retaining and paying employees.
 
The program will offer a $7,500 grant to qualifying small businesses to cover expenses such as employee wages, vendor bills and rent. The emergency relief is targeted specifically to help local businesses with a commercial location within Citrus County cover immediate financial needs. Grants are strictly limited to businesses located physically within Citrus County. Funds can only be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by required closures provided those costs are not paid by insurance or by another federal program.

Eligibility Overview 

• $7,500 for qualifying small businesses with a physical location in Citrus County {1-35 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.
• Larger businesses, non-profits and home-based businesses are not eligible.
• Funds can 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 programs. 
• No reimbursement is required.

You will need the following documentation:

• W-9 Form
• Active State Business Registration, or local business registration/license, or other documentation
• Staffing Documentation (IRS FORM 941 or proof of 1099 distribution)
• Current Business Tax Receipt for fiscal year 2020.

City County 

Citrus County Economic Development

SCORE Nature Coast

Federal programs

U.S. Small Business Administration

State of Florida programs

The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund

The Business Loan Fund can provide an eligible business with up to $500,000 in financing for the following purposes: 

• Inventory Purchases
• Construction or renovation
• Working capital needs
• Capital start-up loans
• Machinery and equipment purchases
• Equipment financing, and more
  
  For more information on the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund please call (833) 832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.

Short Time Compensation Program

The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff. 

The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees.