INITIATIVEs
AMPLIFY HOPE
AMPLIFY HOPE
Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton have left a lasting mark on our beloved Clearwater community. Collectively, the storms brought not only fierce winds, heavy rain, and a massive water surge but also devastation that has impacted our neighbors, friends, and local businesses. From water damage to structural loss, the heart and soul of Clearwater—its residents and businesses—are facing significant challenges in the aftermath.
Local business owners, many of whom have dedicated years to building their dreams, now confront the daunting reality of starting over. Shops, restaurants, and service providers that contribute to our vibrant community are struggling to survive, and residents are also dealing with repairs and recovery.
But there is hope.
AMPLIFY Hope is a community-led initiative designed to provide direct monetary support to both local businesses and residents who need help to rebuild. Every donation—no matter how big or small—goes 100% into recovery grants that will be distributed directly to affected businesses and residents. These grants will provide critical financial aid to help cover repairs, restock inventory, and support families, giving our community the chance to stand tall once again.
Now more than ever, they need your help.
This is our opportunity to come together and ensure that the Clearwater we know and love doesn’t lose the small businesses and families that make it special. Every dollar you give makes a difference. Together, we can rebuild and restore our community, one business and home at a time.
Donate today and help us restore hope to Clearwater. Your generosity will directly impact the future of our local economy and help families and businesses rebuild after these tragic storms.
With your support, we can bring Clearwater’s community back stronger than ever.
Let’s rebuild, together.
If you are a business or resident in need of a recovery grant, please click each link below to obtain the Recovery Grant Application. Once you complete the application you may send it via mail, email, or drop it off during office hours (M-F 9-4) at 1346 S. Ft Harrison Ave Clearwater, FL 33756. If you need additional assistance, please call us at 727-461-0011.
Grant recipients will be notified their status within 30 days of submitted application.
RESOURCES
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Immediate Needs
- Places to Play, Stay, Eat & Shop Following the Hurricanes
- Business Damage Assessment Survey
- Florida Emergency Information Toll-Free Line: (800) 342-3557
- To report price gouging in Florida: (866) 966-7226
- NOAA
- National Weather Service
- Duke Energy Outages Map
- Florida Division of Emergency Management – (850) 815-4000 or Dial 711 (TDD/TTY)
- State of Florida Shelter Locator by County
FEMA AND SBA RESOURCES
Navigating the FEMA process for both home and business assistance requires a slightly more detailed approach since FEMA offers different types of aid for individuals and businesses. Here’s a step-by-step guide for each:
Navigating the SBA (Small Business Administration) disaster loan process can be a critical step for businesses recovering from a disaster like a hurricane, flood, or fire. Here’s a guide to help businesses through the process:
If you need additional assistance, please reach out to our team to assist you at 727-461-0011.
CORE
CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees is a national nonprofit providing financial grants to food & beverage service employees with children when the employee, their child, or their spouse/partner faces a life-altering medical crisis, death, injury, or natural disaster. CORE is here to give a hand-up to qualifying families during their time of need!
HOPE FLORIDA
Serving as the emergency response arm for the Hope Florida initiative, Activate Hope pulls together the private sector, nonprofits, and government resources to help Floridians get back on their feet following a natural disaster. Activate Hope helps connect Floridians with outside resources to provide food, household goods, home repairs, and more. Click the button below and fill out the form to request help today!
SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources.
Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS & RECOVERY
BUSINESS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY
The State of Florida has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton. Please take a moment to complete the survey. Completing the survey helps to ensure the appropriate services are available during recovery.
UPDATES FROM THE CITY
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DEBRIS REMOVAL
The following locations are available for commercial haulers:
Facility | Address | Phone |
Anclote Metal Recycling | 806 Anclote Rd, Tarpon Springs | (727) 938-2822 |
Best Metal Recycling (Clearwater) | 15122 63rd St. N., Clearwater | (727) 524-2550 |
Best Metal Recycling (Tarpon Springs) | 1599 Rainville Rd., Tarpon Springs | (727) 937-6962 |
Trademark Metal (Clearwater) | 2032 Gentry St., Clearwater | (727) 447-6960 |
Trademark Metal (Pinellas Park) | 9380 67th St. N., Pinellas Park | (727) 544-5810 |
Construction & Demolition Debris Disposal
The following locations are available for commercial haulers:
Facility | Address | Phone |
Angelo’s Recycled Materials | 1755 20th Ave. SE, Largo | (727) 588-9529 |
Sarnago & Sons | 1741 N. Keene Road, Clearwater | (727) 446-4909 |
Waste Management | 12950 40th Street, Clearwater | (727) 572-8779 |
Waste Pro | 11880 34th Street N, Clearwater | (727)-304-4500 |
Vegetative Debris
The following locations are available for commercial haulers:
Facility | Address | Phone |
Angelo’s Recycled Materials | 1755 20th Ave. SE, Largo, 33771 | (727) 588-9529 |
Veransa Clearwater | 12101 40th Street N, Clearwater, 33762 | (727) 299-9300 |
WHAT TO DO WITH SAND
From Pinellas County: If clean sand from the beach ended up on your property you can return it to the beach and dune above the high tide line (mean high water). It must not have stains, odors or debris, and you must not place it over dune plants, turtle nests, hurricane generated debris or construction debris.
If the sand does not meet the criteria above, you must request permission from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (850-245-2094 or CCCL@FloridaDEP.gov). Once you have permission, the same placement restrictions apply.
Failure to follow these rules may result in civil penalties.
Don’t put sand in your trash or out in the road.
If you’re using heavy equipment, be cautious of buried water lines and other infrastructure. Call 311.
CRA GRANT PROGRAM
The Community Redevelopment Agency has streamlined our Downtown Clearwater Community Redevelopment Area Commercial Grant Program. Applicants can now apply for one grant program and select the best option that fits their business needs and project size. The grant opportunities offer varying levels of support and address both short—and long-term challenges that commercial stakeholders have experienced in Downtown Clearwater. This comprehensive business assistance program offers assistance for both exterior and interior business improvements.
Commercial Grant Program Downtown CRA
Eligible applicants must meet the program guidelines and be located within Downtown Clearwater Community Redevelopment Area boundaries. Interested parties should note that no projects will be funded retroactively, and applications must be approved prior to beginning work. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and are subject to CRA approval and budget availability.
