Manatee CARES Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security

Manatee County will distribute up to $70 million in CARES Act funding for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funding will be disbursed in four categories to meet the needs of residents, business owners, nonprofits, local government agencies and community partners.


Emergency Rental Assistance Program now Open 

Applications are now being accepted for the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program, which provides funds to renters in Manatee County and its municipalities who are delinquent on rent and in need of rental payment assistance due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Relief & Omnibus Spending Package signed into law on Dec. 27 extended the deadline for counties to disburse CARES funding allocated through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) until December 31, 2021. The extension does not include additional funding through the CARES Act. Nonprofits will have an opportunity to continue current CARES agreements through March 31 to allow them to continue to draw down already awarded dollars through the Community Health and Wellbeing Category.

New rounds of the Manatee CARES Small Business Grant Program, Economic Recovery (nonprofits) program, and the new Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) will open soon.

View our Recovery Resources page for local resources that also offer assistance including food distribution, clothing and personal hygiene, childcare and education, housing payments and other financial/legal aid, and more.

 

Funding Categories

   Economic Recovery

This category is designated for protecting the health and wellbeing of all residents by ensuring adherence to Federal and State COVID-19 Orders and CDC Guidelines. The community will work in collaboration with non-profits, hospitals, medical, mental health and substance abuse providers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Based on availability of funds, programs and services may include but are not limited to:

  • Payment of delinquent rent or mortgage and utilities to avoid foreclosure or eviction through the expansion of the Manatee CARES Housing Assistance Program.
  • Food distribution that reaches citizens of Manatee County
  • Temporary payments for childcare or camps to assist parents returning to work
  • Programs to meet social, medical, and educational needs resulting from COVID-19
  • Programs to retrain and retool employees in hardest hit industry sectors
  • Expansion of the Recover Manatee Safety First – Small Business Grant Program adopted by County Commissioners as part of Resolution R-20-098 on June 16, 2020 to facilitate job creation by rehiring and providing one-time capital investments for small businesses to assist with expenses such as: sanitation, safety and COVID-19 PPE; improved signage and marketing; outdoor seating and renovations to comply with social distancing; inventory, equipment, supplies and software.
  • Training to ensure effective sanitation and disinfecting of business
  • PPE kits for hardest hit business sectors

 

   Community Health and Wellbeing

This category is designated for protecting the health and wellbeing of all residents by ensuring adherence to Federal and State COVID-19 Orders and CDC Guidelines. The community will work in collaboration with nonprofits, hospitals, medical, mental health and substance abuse providers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Based on availability of funds, programs and services may include but are not limited to:

  • Expanded COVID-19 testing, antibodies testing and contact tracing
  • Design, translation and promotion of COVID-19 communications for diverse communities
  • Training for non-profits, business organizations and community service providers to ensure effective COVID-19 disinfecting and sanitizing practices
  • PPE kits for community service providers and non-profits
  • Reimbursement for PPE, reconfiguration for social distancing, and other requirements to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines
  • Disinfecting / sanitizing public areas
  • Facilitate online learning including technology

 

  Public Health & Safety

This category is designated for services conducted through public health and pubic safety officials that protect, promote and improve the health and safety of citizens through coordinated community actions working hand in hand with elected officials. 

 

   Government and Community Facilities

This category is designated for the community health response activities provided by the County, Constitutional Officers and all municipalities for costs incurred to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.