Island businesses supported by Disaster Fund and state program
A disaster fund to assist island businesses has raised nearly $1 million in cash, with hopes of reaching $3 million to help local businesses survive.
The goal of the fund is to “make sure everybody stays in business,” said Larry Hannah, one of three organizers of the fund, which is being run through the Lighthouse United Methodist Church. The fund is directed at businesses, churches, community institutions, and similar groups. Boca Grande’s Crews Bank & Trust is handling the funds.
One of the other organizers of the fund, Stephanie Newman, was present during a Tuesday island tour with Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly. She was handing out application forms and talking individually to businesses. Kelly and his staff, as well as Lt. Gov. Jeannette Nunez, toured businesses and learned about the situation here.
This fund is formed under federal Internal Revenue Service rules, with approval from the United Methodist Conference, as well as the Lighthouse United Methodist Church. Although the church is the administrator of the fund, the money does not come from the church—it is “a conduit for getting the money to those who need it,” Hannah explained.
The committee is meeting weekly. They have already received many applications and will conduct more individual interviews to determine how much to distribute. The fund, which targets island businesses that suffered physical losses, will significantly ease the burden on businesses struggling to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Three families on the island—August and Ginny Busch, the Ginny Nicholas family, and Will and Sarah Farish—stepped up to seed the fund just after Hurricane Helene. Others have quickly stepped up to help bringing it to over $900,000 in less than two weeks.
After Hurricane Ian, the community rallied to support local businesses, and it made a huge impact. “This is what churches are supposed to do… become the vehicle to help people and bring the community together,” said Hannah, a member of the committee, after the announcement of the fund after Helene.
“Many businesses are reluctant to take money to reopen after a disaster like this,” he noted on the launch of the fund. “They fear there won’t be a town left to support their investment. We are here to show them that Boca Grande is coming back and will be bigger and stronger than before.”
Handling the business end of things is a committee made up of Hannah, Mary O’Bannon, Sharon Cross, and Stephanie Newman.
Since the announcement of the fund, the State of Florida came in with $50,000 no interest loans for businesses, which could be doubled.
Other businesses have had individual campaigns.
“We see this fund serving as a 60-to-90-day bridge,” he said. It provides businesses with a way to kick-start their recovery, take care of immediate needs, and remain operational. This is especially crucial as the season is starting. People want to see that we are still in business, and they won’t hesitate to come to the island.
Hannah said 100% of the money collected by the Disaster Fund will be distributed to those in need. The Disaster Fund team is made up entirely of volunteers. Donations are tax-deductible. Throughout the application and granting process, committee members will meet with applicants, help them identify their priorities, and reassure them of the community’s support. Many local businesses are family-owned, have been part of the community for years, and are integral to what draws people to live, vacation, and visit the island.
If you are able to contribute to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund, please send donations to Boca Grande United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 524, Boca Grande, FL 33921.
For questions, you can email Stephanie Newman at snewman@spiritflighteast.com or Mary O’Bannon at meobannon@yahoo.com.
