Comments on: $2,500 COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Grants Available In Escambia County, Pensacola

By: Rocco R Woodard

Rocco R Woodard — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 12:40:41 +0000

I have lost 30%of my business due to Covid 19 and I expect more cancellations in the near future

By: Charles E. Porch, O.D.

Charles E. Porch, O.D. — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 22:50:56 +0000

I have been an optometrist practicing in Pensacola for over 38 years, and it’s great having our local government step in and help it’s local businesses when our state and national government were not ready to help.

By: BT

BT — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:32:27 +0000

I appreciate the effort being made here. Most of the state and federal programs to help small businesses were underfunded.

The state emergency bridge loan program ran out of money after funding 1000 of 38000 applicants. This is not a giveaway, it is an emergency loan. 2.64% of applicants got help.

The Federal economic injury disaster loan program is effectively out of money, as is the paycheck protection program.

I understand that a lot of people applied because they saw a government handout. But there are a lot of businesses that did the right things to reduce the spread of the disease with a promise they would be taken care of.

By: Terry Hicks

Terry Hicks — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 18:57:02 +0000

Your article specifies employees… like most government agencies, it appears the sole proprietor & independent contractors are overlooked…
Is that the case here ?
Could a sole proprietor apply?
Could an Independent Contractor apply?
There are many companies that contract by job or jobs & sub-contract / partner with others (1099-misc) when needed, to supply goods & services in the area (yet have no W2 employees).

1 of my 3 associates has already been denied unemployment as we await the likely same results for the others. The forms for Individual unemployment & for small businesses like ours fall thru the cracks of the well designed applications that specifically designate businesses with employees. I wish they would all designate the people as “workers” or “earners”.

Thank you for your care for our community, your investment, your effort, your time & your reply.