Gulfport Updates on City Grants
announcements
By Laura Mulrooney
City of Gulfport Director of Finance Cheryl Hannafin announced that a total of $32,000 in utility credit has been granted to 43 small businesses in Gulfport as part of the Gateway Small Business Grant program. In May of this year, the City of Gulfport agreed to grant a total of $50,000 in utility credit to businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19. The grants were funded from the city’s unrestricted General Fund Balance. Council authorized 40, one-time, $1,000 grants and 20 $500 grants, based on the size of the business. As of June 4, the City of Gulfport announced that they had maxed out the smaller business grants of $500 for businesses with one to two full-time equivalent employees. There are 18 $1,000 grants remaining for eligible small businesses that employ between three to 50 full-time equivalent employees. Contact the city at 727-893-1000 or visit mygulfport.us for more.
Curb Your Reading at the Library Don’t feel safe going back into public places? The Gulfport Public Library has you covered at the curb! You can pick up requested materials — books, reemployment forms, tax forms, your copy of the Gabber, what have you — at the curb. You can either reserve books online, via email, or by calling the library, Pick up materials Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get more details at mygulfport.us/gpl.
Plant It for the Planet in Gulfport Plants abound at Eat Be Grow Sustain’s plant sale on Saturday, July 25. This Gulfport-based nonprofit makes it its mission promote permaculture, peace, and sustainable living. At the plant sale, they’ll also offer information about wildlife habitats and food security. Find the plant sale at 1301 49th St. S., but see the results of Eat Be Grow Sustain’s work in the community when you visit the Gulfport Food Forest in Clymer Park. Eat Be Grow Sustain asks everyone at the plant sale to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. One last thing: They need volunteers year-round. Call them at 727-560-0608 to learn more.
Watch the Watchers Virtually CATHY SALUSTRI
Gulfport’s Neighborhood Watch has gone virtual, which means no matter where you are you can participate via Facebook. The group meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Find the group on Facebook by searching for “Gulfport, FL Community Crime Watch.” The meetings and group offer Gulfport residents a monitored way to learn about burglaries, BOLOs and stolen vehicles. Call 893-1022 or email Gulfport’s volunteer coordinator Jim Wright at jwright@mygulfport.us if you want more information.
Got Tuna?
Gulfport Residents Take Advantage of City Grants By Laura Mulrooney
Gulfport City Council approved the Residential Recovery & Resiliency (R3) Program at the Tuesday, June 17 council meeting. The program grants eligible Gulfport residents with a one-time utility credit up to $500. According to City of Gulfport Director of Finance Cheryl Hannafin, on Friday, June 26, 205 residential utility accounts were reported for shut off due to delinquencies. As of Tuesday, July 7, 149 of the delinquent account holders had contacted the city for bill resolution. Hannafin reported that 51 of those 149 accounts had applied for the city’s R3 program. Learn more about the grant at mygulfport.us.
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If you do, the Gulfport Senior Center Pantry needs it. They also would like peanut butter, dry cereal, pasta sauce, soups and canned meats. Any Gulfport resident 50 and older can use the pantry. The Senior Center keeps the pantry open from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. If you have food to donate, drop it off anytime. If you could use food, bring your photo ID, a utility bill, or bank statement (to prove residence) and your SSI proof of income. Wondering if you can use the pantry? Call Rachel at 727-893-1231.
Gulfport is Ready to Help Businesses It’s not to late to apply for City of Gulfport grant funding for eligible small businesses. If you or your business employ between three and 50 full-time employees within Gulfport city limits, you might get some money coming your way. Grants in the amount of $1000 are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while funds last, so don’t miss out. Apply online at mygulfport.us/ gatewaygrant, call 727-893-1045 or email cSotoTorres@ mygulfport.us.
theGabber.com | July 16 - July 22, 2020
