More Small Business Relief Money Available To St. Pete Firms

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — More businesses should now be able to apply for grants from a city fund set up to help keep business afloat during the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of the city's Fighting Chance Fund is to provide help to locally owned businesses in the St. Petersburg area affected by local coronavirus orders. The city has committed $6.8 million to the fund and expanded its criteria.

The three added eligibility requirements listed in a press release include:

• Businesses that have been operating for at least six months are now eligible to apply.
• Added eligible industries include travel agencies and tour operators.
• Individual businesses that operate within a co-working space and individual business owners leasing space from another business are now eligible to apply.

The city no longer requires that a business must be 50 percent locally owned by St. Petersburg residents for eligibility. Independent and home-based businesses remain ineligible for this fund.

For more information on full eligibility criteria visit Fighting Chance Fund.

To apply for the grant visit Small Business Application or Impacted Individuals Application.

If you are interested in donating to this fund to help small businesses visit Pinellas Community's Foundation page.