Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board Activates $1M Grant for Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19, Awards 71 Additional Businesses

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Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board Activates $1M Grant for Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19, Awards 71 Additional Businesses

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Yesterday, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors (IA Board), comprised of Leon County Commissioners and City of Tallahassee Commissioners, activated a $1 million grant program to assist local non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Local Emergency Assistance for Non-profits (LEAN) grant program, which will be administered by the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV), was initiated by the IA Board through the reallocation of $1 million from the Blueprint infrastructure program to provide a helping hand to eligible, local non-profit organizations in order to support the continuity of their operations.

Eligible non-profits include human services, cultural arts and historical organizations. Unlike the initial COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief (CEDR) grant program, also administered by OEV, the amount of the grant funds awarded will not be based on the number of employees. The award level for each eligible non-profit application will be $2,500.

“As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lives in unimaginable ways, especially for our non-profits,” Leon County Commission Chairman and Chairman of the IA Board Bryan Desloge said. “With this program, we’re investing directly into our local economy and supporting non-profits as they support our community through this public health emergency.”

OEV will activate the program and application process on Friday, April 17, at noon. The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2020, or until all funds have been expended, whichever comes first. The funds will be released to eligible non-profits that are human services, cultural arts and historical organizations on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-profit organizations receiving grant approval should expect to receive payment approximately 10-12 business days after submitting the necessary forms.

“We know this pandemic is being felt by our local non-profit community,” said City Commissioner Elaine Bryant, vice chair of the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. “Although there is assistance at the federal level, that process takes time and our non-profits need immediate assistance to help them keep their doors open. I am pleased that my colleagues and I activated the grant program to provide that support to this vital sector of our community during this difficult time.”

Along with the activation of the grant program, the IA Board also voted to award grants to an additional 71 local businesses that applied and were eligible under the original CEDR grant program, but were unable to receive grants as the funds were fully expended on April 6. In all, an additional $124,500 will be awarded to these local, small business.

“With the IA Board voting to grant an additional 71 businesses, I am pleased to announce that this brings our new total of awardees to 560 businesses served, resulting in $1.2 million to small business assistance,” said OEV Director Cristina Paredes. “This funding provides a critical lifeline to our local small businesses.”

For more information on the eligibility requirements and to apply for the grant program, visit oevforbusiness.org/lean. For questions regarding the grant program, contact the OEV at info@OEVforBusiness.org.

 

About the Tallahassee - Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV)

When you are looking to grow, relocate or start your business in Florida’s capital city, the Office of Economic Vitality is your front door to business resources. OEV can guide you in a variety of ways: site location, talent solutions, financial assistance, for instance. To foster a strong business climate, the Office of Economic Vitality provides data, resources and support to site selectors, state partners, and business leaders in the community alike. We serve as the connector between state economic development, workforce development and business.