Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Announces Relief Fund for Businesses and Employees Impacted by Ian

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association announced the launch of the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund, which will be meant to give relief for “independent restaurants and lodging establishments and their employees” requiring financial need or impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Grants up to $10,000 per “independently owned restaurant or lodging location” will be administered via the FRLA Educational Foundation. Read here for what is qualifies as “independent.”

“Florida is known across the globe for our unparalleled hospitality and our world class dining and lodging establishments,” Carl Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA, said. “To see this industry already reeling from the economic situation in a post-COVID recovery period hit by such historic destruction from Hurricane Ian is devastating. Through the FRLA Disaster Relief Fund initiative, we will be able to provide financial support directly to our hospitality industry now and after declared emergency events that may occur in the future. Our industry is hospitality strong, and we are proud to help aid in its recovery.”

At least 33% of the support must be earmarked to support employees. Funds may be used for:

• Assistance with rent, mortgage payments, or car loan payments;
• Assistance with school tuition and higher education costs to permit a child to attend school;
• Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for the repair or rehabilitation of a personal residence (rented or owned); or
• Reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for the repair or replacement of the contents of a personal residence due to Hurricane Ian.’

“I am proud to work through the FRLA Educational Foundation on this important disaster recovery initiative to support the relief of our hospitality industry,” said Mary Beth Hansen, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for the FLRA Educational Foundation. “Having the appropriate infrastructure to direct financial assistance back to impacted hotels and restaurants is the best way that we can help our industry members recover and sustain the future of our workforce.”

For more information, read here.

Floridians have come together across the state to help victims of Ian, including with the support of local governments, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, and FEMA. DeSantis recently celebrates the Florida Disaster Fund raising over $50 million.

The governor announced Florida is partnering with FEMA for the first time to expedite debris removal on private and commercial properties at severely affected areas.

“You get the debris out as quickly as possible, then you’re able to get things rebuilt and get people back on their feet,” DeSantis said. “I think that if we do better on this than the typical norm, you know, these areas are going to come back to life more quicker.”