Lee County’s Small Business Relaunch Assistance Program application window to close Friday

Lee County Government will close its current application window for its LeeCARES Small Business Relaunch Assistance Program at 5 p.m. today, June 12.

County staff will continue to assess and process the nearly 2,200 applications received since the program launched May 26. The county has trained and allotted employees to work nights and weekends to assist residents and quickly infuse the federal funds into the community.

The county anticipates reopening the application process on June 22, subject to availability of funds.

Lee County Commissioners have dedicated $25 million to the Business Relaunch Assistance Program; payments began being dispersed June 2, and thus far more than $3,840,000 in assistance has been approved.

Under the program, assistance is available to businesses with one to 25 employees as of March 1 that were closed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Safer at Home Order. The one-time, $5,000 relaunch grants are to help offset the unintended costs of reopening or relaunching a small business, such as sanitation, signage or marketing. Funds can only be used to reimburse the costs of business interruption caused by the required closures that are not covered by insurance or another federal program. Business owners must be Lee County residents.

The Business Relaunch program is one of five that commissioners approved for using funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Lee County currently is investing $57.5 million in Human & Business Services to provide immediate assistance for individuals, families and businesses. A dashboard that shows assistance statistics is available at www.LeeFLcares/transparency.

Visit www.LeeFLcares.com for additional information. Application instructions also are available in Spanish by calling 239-533-2273 (or 239-LEE-CARES); applicants without internet access can also call the number. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Updates about the county’s response to coronavirus can be found at www.leegov.com/COVID-19.

Crump joins Pushing the Envelope

Pushing the Envelope Inc., a strategic marketing communication firm based in Fort Myers, welcomes Patricia Crump as its digital marketing specialist.

In her role, Crump is responsible for the development and implementation of social media strategies (paid and organic), as well as email marketing efforts, online reputation management, and mobile marketing (SMS) services.

Crump holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University. Bringing more than five years of experience in digital marketing, she worked both in agencies and in-house for a variety of clientele prior to joining Pushing the Envelope.

For more information, please call 239-221-2858, visit GetPushing.com or email Info@GetPushing.com.

Priority Marketing offers ‘Power Packs’ as marketing solutions for nonprofits, small businesses

Priority Marketing is introducing economical marketing solutions called Power Packs designed specifically to reenergize and relaunch small businesses and organizations looking to refresh or restart marketing campaigns following COVID-19.

Three types of Power Packs are available and include social media, email marketing and public relations services to help meet established goals and objectives.

Additionally, Priority Marketing has launched three Start Up Packs for new businesses and those relaunching brands. Packages include foundational marketing services like logo and website development, brand identity sets, collateral, email templates, social media setup and more.

Priority Marketing, Southwest Florida’s largest full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency, also is offering complimentary consultations by telephone and video chat, as well as free online resources, to help local businesses, nonprofits and community partners rebound from the health and economic crisis.

For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, please call 239-267-2638 or email PowerUp@PriorityMarketing.com.

Established in 1992, Priority Marketing is a full-service marketing, advertising, public relations and digital marketing agency located at 12140 Carissa Commerce Court, Suite 201, in Fort Myers.

Follow Priority Marketing on social media through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. For industry news and marketing insights, visit PriorityMarketing.com/our-blog and watch the FAQ Fridays video series on YouTube.

For more information, call 239-267-2638 or visit PriorityMarketing.com.

Millennial Brewing to host Murder Mystery Event June 24

The Uncommon Friends Foundation has partnered with Millennial Brewing to raise much needed funds by hosting a 1920’s themed Murder Mystery Event at Millennial Brewery, located in downtown Fort Myers on June 25, from 6-9 p.m.

Guests will be able to purchase and reserve tables in advance for as few as 5 people and up to 8 people. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Each table will receive its own Murder Mystery Story packet and attendees will also be able to add a themed Growler or bottle of wine for a reduced price to be delivered to their table and served.

Millennial Brewing’s 1920’s Murder Mystery event will be at the Brewery, at 1811 Royal Palm Ave., in Fort Myers. Table reservations are $20,table reservations with a specially themed Growler or bottle of wine are $40.

Reservations can be made by visiting www.millennialbrewing.com and clicking on the “Online Ordering” tab.

The Uncommon Friends Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1993 and dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders, as well as historic preservation of the Burroughs Home and Gardens and the James Newton Archives. It is located in the historic Burroughs Home and Gardens at 2505 First Street in downtown Fort Myers, Florida 33901.

To schedule home tours, garden and waterfront weddings, or hold glamorous events in our new outdoor pavilion, please visit uncommonfriends.org or contact Executive Director Jennifer Nelson at 239-337-9503 or at jennifer@uncommonfriends.org