Orange County officials dedicate 30% of CARES Act funding to small businesses

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County officials said Wednesday that the county plans to use a portion of its CARES Act funding to provide “gap funding” for small business owners.

"This is really, I think, good news for our citizens,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said. “If we can execute this plan at this point, we will be able to help the right people in our community."

Orange County received $243 million through the federal CARES Act, and 30% of it will go to about 6,500 small businesses.

Officials said another 30% of the CARES funding will go to social services and community needs, which will allow people who have lost their jobs or have been furloughed to apply for $1,000 grants.

Another 20% will go to public safety and health expenditures.

The final 20% will be split, with 10% going to municipalities and constitutional officers and 10% going to a replenishment account.

The county will start taking applications for the grants June 1.

Video: Free PPE offered at COVID-19 testing sites in Orange County Hand sanitizer and a box of masks were distributed to those who were tesed.

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