HIGHLANDS COUNTY, Fla. — The Highland County Board of Commissioners will be taking applications for the Highlands Cares grant programs beginning Monday, Aug. 3 at 9 a.m.
Applications for all three grant programs will be accepted between 9 a.m. and noon Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The application will be open to the public and to apply, applicants will need to go to HighlandsCares.com, for the application. To be eligible applicants must be Highland County residents who are 18 or older and have experienced a verifiable loss of income due to COVID-19 as of March 17, 2020. Under the individual grant program. Payment will be made directly to the individual applicant.
What Residents will need for the application process:
- A valid Florida ID or Florida driver’s license listing their residence as a Highlands County address
- Proof of loss of income related to COVID- 19 ( furlough notice, lay- off letter from employer, unemployment statement, pay stubs, copy of W-2 or 1099, etc.
The Small Business Relief Grant Program will provide a tiered amount based on the number of employees eligible for businesses or non-profit organizations who’ve had a negative impact due to COVID-19 as of March 17, 2020.
Funds will go directly to the organization. Applicants may apply for up to two businesses or non-profit organizations. They must be a business or non-profit organization with its principal location in Highlands County that legally operates within Highlands County and the State of Florida prior to March 17, 2020.
They will need to self-certify the information in the application process. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) recipients are eligible.
Business (for-profit and non-profit) wanting to apply for business assistance will need the following documentation:
- A copy or picture of each owner’s or executive leadership’s valid Florida ID or Florida driver’s license
- “Active” status business registration from the Florida Division of Corporations or copy of municipal business license or copy of Schedule C or copy of 1099
- A completed and signed IRS W-9 form, for business with two or more employees
- A W - 3 summary or IRS 941 showing number of employees prior to March 17, 2020
- Information to estimate the company’s average monthly expenses before March 17, 2020
The community Proposals program will provide funds to eligible non-profit organizations that are proposing or have an existing program that helps the Highlands community respond to COVID- 19 pandemic.
These organizations may apply for the Small Business Relief program and the Community Proposals program. Community Proposals applications will close at 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21. Staff will review non-profit community proposals after this date and bring them before the Board of County Commissioners at the Sept. 1 board meeting.
For more information, click here.
