Business Assistance

RISE Small Business Loan

The RISE Small Business Loan Program is now closed for new applications.

RISE, an acronym for Re-Investing in our Small Business Economy, is a $25 million small business loan program provided by federal CARES Act funds with the goal of helping Miami-Dade County small businesses affected by COVID-19.

Read the news release

Apply and read about eligibility requirements

Veteran Business Grant Program

The Veteran Business Grant Program is now closed for new applications.

Veterans who own businesses and have experienced financial hardships due to COVID-19 are eligible to apply for assistance as part of a $5 million Veteran Business Grant Program fund.

Funding received will be calculated based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $25,000.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 305-375-3111.

- Veterans with a valid honorable discharge DD214 who own a business
- Businesses located in Miami-Dade County and annual revenue does not exceed $15 million
- Veterans can apply for only one owned establishment
- 2019 tax return. If 2019 not available, submit 2018
- Local Business Tax Receipt (Miami-Dade County and/or municipality)
- Department of Defense form 214.5 (DD214)
- Executed lease agreement or mortgage statement for establishment
- Vendor establishment to get funded if approved. Applicant must upload a current and completed W-9 and a copy of the IRS Letter 147 C or any other official document from the IRS, state or federal government that certifies the vendor name and EIN (tax ID)
- 100 percent reimbursable Personal Protective Equipment – PPE purchases and other associated expenses necessary to comply with CDC guidelines or Miami-Dade County COVID-19 safety orders; proof of purchase via receipt or paid invoice
- 100 percent Reimbursable Rent or Mortgage – proof of payment via a receipt, or cancelled check; if behind on payments, a notarized letter from landlord or lender stating how many months behind/default and to include specific dates is required
- 100 percent Reimbursable Other Expenses – utility bills, licenses, and insurance are allowable expenses needed to keep the business operational, and to safely meet local, state, and federal requirements; proof of payment via receipt, paid invoice, or cancelled check
Ineligible Expenses
- New construction (unless the expenses are necessary to comply with CDC guidelines or Miami-Dade County COVID-19 safety orders)
- Vehicle purchases
- Repayment of outstanding business loans
- Payment of federal, state or Miami-Dade County tax liens

APPLY FOR THE VETERAN BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM

Defense for Tots Box for Eligible Childcare Centers

The Defense for Tots Box aid program is now closed for new applications.

The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners approved $3 million in CARES Act relief funds for the purchase of COVID-19 preventative equipment to be distributed to eligible childcare providers located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

The Miami-Dade County Defense for Tots Box aids providers in complying with the guidelines established by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and protects childcare staff and Miami-Dade’s youngest citizens.

The Defense for Tots Box includes one handheld electrostatic sprayer (used to disinfect high touch areas), a supply of disinfectant for the electrostatic sprayer, and one free standing temperature screening system.

Miami-Dade County has identified and invited 759 eligible childcare providers located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County to apply for a Defense for Tots Box. See the list of childcare providers eligible to apply.

For more information, email [email protected].

Nonprofit Support Grants

The grant program to support nonprofits is now closed for new applications.

The Miami Foundation, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Department, is offering one-time relief grants to qualifying nonprofits affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

This $10 million in funding is made possible from federal coronavirus relief funds and must be used to cover employee payroll, business interruption costs, reopening and other expenses related to COVID-19.

For questions about this grant program, email [email protected].

Read the press release.

- An IRS 501(c)(3) organization, church (for non-inherently religious programs, services, or activities) or equivalent
- Legally incorporated as a legal business entity in the state of Florida
- Based in and providing services in Miami-Dade County since before January 1, 2019
- An organization that employs 25 or fewer full-time employees (as of March 1, 2020)
Award ceiling: Up to $47,500 based on a qualifying organization's 2019 gross revenues as follows:
- $47,500 for organizational revenues over $1 million
- $40,000 for organizational revenues between $500,000 - $999,999
- $30,000 for revenues between $250,000-$499,999
- $20,000 for revenues under $250,000

Apply Now

Hospitality Industry Grant Program

The Hospitality Industry Grant Program is now closed for new applications.

The Hospitality Industry Grant (HIG) Program consists of a $30 million fund to provide financial assistance to local independently owned and operated restaurants and non-home-based caterers affected by COVID-19.

Priority will be given to businesses that have not been approved or received funds from any institution under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan or other federal or state assisted business loan program and have a single establishment.

The program will be calculated based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $25,000 per establishment. The program will award grants to a maximum of two establishments per restaurant/hospitality group. Priority will be given to applicants that have a single establishment. If an applicant has two or more establishments and requests assistance for both, then a single application must be submitted.

Read the news release

Restaurants or non-home-based caterers with a valid license to operate as a restaurant or caterer or valid food permit.

Ineligible
- Nightclubs, bars or mobile food truck
- Hotel restaurants owned by hotel
- Home-based business of any kind
Criteria
- Must be established for at least one year
- Restaurants or non-home-based caterers located in Miami-Dade County and annual revenue does not exceed $15 million
- Franchise restaurants must meet all of the following criteria: Franchisor does not own any interest in the Franchisee locations, Franchisor Corporate office is located in Miami-Dade County, Franchisor and brand does not have locations outside the State of Florida, Franchisee locations that are applying for the grant are located in Miami-Dade County
- Chain restaurants must meet all of the following criteria: Chain restaurant Corporate office is located in Miami-Dade County, Chain restaurant and brand does not have locations outside the State of Florida, and Chain restaurant locations that are applying for the grant are located in Miami-Dade County
- 2019 tax return; if 2019 not available, submit 2018
- Local Business Tax Receipt (Miami-Dade County and/or municipality)
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to operate as a restaurant or caterer OR Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services food permit
- Executed lease agreement or mortgage statement for establishment
- Vendor establishment to get funded if approved – applicant must upload a current and completed W-9 and a copy of the IRS Letter 147 C or any other official document from the IRS, State or Federal government that certifies the vendor name and EIN (tax ID).
Reimbursable Expense Documents
- 100% Reimbursable Personal Protective Equipment – PPE purchases and other associated expenses necessary to comply with CDC guidelines or Miami-Dade County COVID-19 safety orders; proof of purchase via a receipt, or paid invoice
- 100% Reimbursable Rent or Mortgage – proof of payment via a receipt, or cancelled check; if behind on payments, a notarized letter from landlord or lender stating how many months behind/default and to include specific dates is required
- 100% Reimbursable Other Expenses – utility bills, licenses, insurance, and perishable food items are allowable expenses needed to keep the business operational, and to safely meet local, state, and federal requirements; proof of payment via receipt, paid invoice, or cancelled check

Apply for the Hospitality Industry Grant Program

Miami-Dade Arts Support Program

The Miami-Dade Arts Support Program is now closed for new applications.

Funded with $10 million from the federal CARES Act, the Miami-Dade Arts Support (MAS) Program aims to provide financial assistance to arts and cultural organizations and artist-entrepreneurs to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs is hosting webinars for cultural organizations to learn the application and submission process. See the workshop schedule, grant program guidelines and the application by visiting the Miami-Dade Arts Support Action Center webpage.

Grants for Artists: Individual artists, creatives, and cultural gig workers who were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and had not already received support from the Miami-Dade Artists Support! (MAS!) Program had previously been eligible for a $500 grant.

Read the news release

Miami-Dade Arts Support Action Center webpage

South Beach Wine & Food Festival and FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival and FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund Program is now closed for new applications.

Caterers and employees of independently owned restaurants and bars in Miami-Dade County affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a grant as part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund.

Up to $500 will be made available to each qualifying employee, with a maximum of $15,000 per individual establishment and a maximum of two establishments per restaurant/hospitality group.

Per Miami-Dade County guidelines, each establishment must provide the following documentation as part of the application process to be eligible and approved to receive grant funds. All required documents must be uploaded to your application prior to submitting.
- Evidence that the establishment has 50 or fewer employees (Payroll journal/summary, check register, or other payroll reporting documents that clearly show payments to all full-time and part-time employees from Jan. 1 through July 31, 2020. Documents must support proof of 50 or fewer employees and must include the employee names listed within your application.)
- Evidence that the establishment did $10 million or less in annual revenue-Tax Year 2019 (Profit and Loss Statement for Tax Year 2019)
- Miami-Dade County and/or municipal Local Business Tax Receipts from 2019 and 2020
- Evidence that the establishment is a for-profit business headquartered in Miami-Dade County (Florida Business License)
- Evidence at least 50 percent of the owners having a primary residence in Miami-Dade County (examples include personal executed mortgage statement/agreement, personal executed lease agreement, OR two pieces of personal mail, like a utility bill)
- Ownership information-proof of ownership structure (Articles of Incorporation)

Apply for the Hospitality Industry Relief Fund

Small Business Assistance Forgivable Loan Program

The Small Business Assistance Forgivable Loan Program is now closed for new applications.

The Small Business Assistance Forgivable Loan Program, consisting of $5 million in federal CARES Act funds, provides loans of up to $25,000 with zero percent interest and no origination fees.

Businesses must have no more than 25 employees, provide some evidence of being affected by COVID-19, and not previously having received assistance from other special COVID-19 programs, such as the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

For more information:

Partners for Self-Employment
305-438-1407
Email: [email protected]
Tools for Change
305-200-5568
Email: [email protected]
Read the news release

Layoff Aversion Fund

Through CareerSource South Florida's Layoff Aversion Fund, small businesses and community-based organizations facing financial impacts and potential layoffs from COVID-19 can apply for up to $10,000 in grants to prevent potential layoffs or minimize the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs due to the pandemic.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 305-594-7615, ext. 1526.

Layoff Aversion Fund

Business Damage Assessment Survey

Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impacts of business closures and begin implementing appropriate relief programs for such local businesses.

Local businesses can complete the survey online through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's website. Results from the survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners to ensure that the state can access federal and state resources to the maximum extent possible to assist businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Data collected from County businesses will be critical to designing the most effective response to assisting businesses impacted by COVID-19 in Miami-Dade County.

Read the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners resolution passed on April 7

Taxicab, Jitney and Limousine Driver Emergency Fund Program

The Taxicab, Jitney and Limousine Driver Emergency Fund Program is now closed for new applications.

For-hire drivers can apply online for financial assistance.

Miami-Dade County taxicab, jitney, and limousine drivers with a valid chauffeur’s registration as of March 1, 2020 who have been impacted by novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Emergency Fund Program (EFP) that comes from $10 million from the federal CARES Act.

Priority will be given to licensed for-hire drivers who have NOT been approved or received funds from any institution under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPP) or other federal or state assisted business loan program.

The $10 million from the program will be distributed based on individual percentages of eligible costs incurred, with a maximum award of $5,000 per driver, based on program updates made Oct. 28, 2020. Each licensed taxicab, jitney, and limousine driver who submits a new application or has already applied will receive a $550 basic needs grant.

The application is available in English, Spanish and Creole.

These funds can provide relief for COVID-19 impacts by covering eligible expenses in four categories:

Reimbursable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) costs
Reimbursable vehicle operation expenses
Reimbursable business expenses needed to keep the business operational
Reimbursable rent or mortgage

These eligible costs must occur between March 1, 2020 and Dec. 30, 2020 and all fund allocations will need to be substantiated by documentation provided by the applicant.

For questions regarding the EFP or the application process, please contact the Passenger Transportation Regulatory Division at [email protected].