As our community faces unprecedented challenges, the City of Tampa is expanding its One Tampa fund to offer critical financial support to small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. The pre-application process will run from has been open since Monday, June 1st at noon, and will be extended to Friday, June 12 at noon, giving small business owners a window to apply.
Mayor Jane Castor first announced details of the City’s new One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together fund, and its first relief plans in partnership with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and The Tampa Bay Chamber in April.
Now, the City of Tampa is expanding the One Tampa: Relief Now, Rise Together Fund for small businesses. This Rent, Mortgage & Essential Utility Relief Plan will provide direct grant payments for eligible businesses for one month--offering a lifeline to bridge the financial gap as many wait for state and federal relief funds to become available.
The goal of this program is to offer critical financial assistance to the most in-need business owners in our community. For qualifying critically impacted small businesses in the most vulnerable business sectors (that have a physical location within one of the City of Tampa’s low-income census tracts or one of its community redevelopment areas), the City will cover up to $5,000 for rent/mortgage and essential utilities. These funds are grant payments and do not need to be repaid.
Critically impacted businesses will be able to start the first step of the application process online at noon on June 1st. Eligibility information is currently available at OneTampa.org . Applicants can also call the Tampa’s Recovery Hotline at 1-833-TPA-INFO for assistance.
One Tampa is a testament to the generosity, unity, and spirit of the community. During these trying times, many have asked how they can help others in need. Those wishing to get involved to help neighbors and small businesses can visit onetampa.org to make a tax-deductible donation. No donation is too small, and all funds will be used to directly support the community’s recovery.