FPL offers financial help throughout 2021 for small businesses crushed by pandemic

As part of its $75 million Main Street Recovery Credit Program, Florida Power & Light is offering fee waivers, payment extensions and direct credits to small businesses adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

To be eligible, companies must have been inactive for at least six consecutive months after March 2020 or be located in a federally designated Opportunity Zone within the company’s service area. New small businesses may also be eligible.

If approved, businesses will receive a 10% credit each month throughout 2021 based upon their energy consumption costs from their previous month’s bill.

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While the entire nation has suffered economic setbacks because of the ongoing pandemic, Florida has been hit particularly hard. More than half of Florida’s small businesses have closed since the pandemic began, according to a survey of 4,800 small businesses conducted by the Florida Chamber Foundation, while another 45% expressed concern about their ability to operate in the future.

Florida ranks fourth in the nation for small business closures, with about 5,300 permanent closures and about 3,300 temporary closures, according to a Yelp economic report. FPL estimates about 200,000 small businesses in the state are eligible for the new subsidies.

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“We know that COVID-19’s unpredictability and disruptiveness has made life very difficult for all Floridians, so we are continuing to work hard to find innovative ways to help our customers get through this challenging time,” said FPL President and CEO Eric Silagy in a statement. “This new initiative will help alleviate some of the financial pressure facing our small businesses and independent stores that make up the fabric of our communities. We’re committed to helping Florida get back up on her feet and this program is one more way FPL is helping to rebuild our economy and move the state forward.”

Assistance remains available for eligible residential customers as well. FPL donated $15 million to provide 55,000 customers with monthly bill credits through the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the Care to Share Program to help residential customers in need of utility assistance may make a one-time donation, donate monthly or round up their own bills to the nearest dollar as a voluntary contribution.

@WendyRhodesFL

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Are you the owner of a Palm Beach County business that is struggling because of the economic effects of the pandemic? We want to hear from you and tell your story. Email wrhodes@pbpost.com

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FPL offers financial help throughout 2021 for small businesses crushed by pandemic

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