Assistance Available for Brevard Residents, Small Businesses and Nonprofits Impacted by COVID-19

BREVARD COUNTY, FL. -- The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners has allocated $10 million in Coronavirus Air, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to assist Small Businesses and Nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Grants of up to $10,000 are available. As of Sept. 15, 2020, the County had received 940 applications and awarded grants totaling $6.4 million. Applications and requirements to qualify for a grant are available at www.brevardfl.gov/BrevardCares. These are grants, not loans, and therefore do not have to be repaid to the County.

 Along with assistance for small businesses and nonprofits, other programs have been implemented that can assist individuals with rental and mortgage payments, utility and security deposits and food stability. These programs are available through the County’s Housing and Human Services Department. Those eligible must be a resident of Brevard County, at or below 140 percent of area median income, and able to demonstrate assistance is required as a result of direct impacts from coronavirus. Applicants must also provide supporting documents related to income, need and other assistance received. So far, 1,043 applications for individual assistance have been received with $2.9 million obligated. The average amount of assistance awarded is $3,335.

 The County has also allocated funding for food stability programs and has provided 32,252 meals through a weekend feeding program; served 4,915 households through a Farmer’s Market program; and provided 101,050 meals through Independent Living Systems LLC.

 Applications for Housing and Human Services assistance programs can also be found here:  www.brevardfl.gov/BrevardCares

 In August, the County distributed 2,000 free Personal Protection Equipment kits to small businesses. Each kit included 200 procedure masks, 25 reusable cloth masks, two boxes of gloves and hand sanitizer. Additional supplies have been ordered by the County and new distribution announcements are pending in October.