“I’m always convinced that most all of the good ideas that you ever receive come from grassroots people that live it, breathe it, and know it.”

-David Senter

Everybody gets their information from so many varying sources. From TV News, print media, magazines, social media, and a host of others, getting your message to the public has never been more harried.

The message presented by St. Lucie County and the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDCSLC) to assist eligible small businesses affected by the COVID pandemic is the type of message that cannot slip through the cracks.

“We often use the conventional forms of today’s messaging with the hopes of reaching the masses but we know there are others that can benefit from ‘Recover St. Lucie’ that just don’t read newspapers or watch the news,” said Pete Tesch, CEO of EDCSLC. “This is where we bring in the Club Kids from Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County to present in a grassroots environment to get the word out directly to small businesses by having them show up in person and talk to them face-to-face”

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County has deputized eight teens from the Percy Peek Teen Center that will be traversing the small businesses in Fort Pierce to share the information that there is relief for them through the Recover St. Lucie grant program.

Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act almost four million dollars has been allocated to assist small businesses in St. Lucie County. Grants of up to $7,500 are available to businesses with fewer than ten employees that have been economically stifled, forced to close or reduce operations due to COVID19.

“We were thrilled when they thought of our Clubkids to be part of their grassroots message to local businesses,” said Will Armstead, CEO of BGCSLC. “This is a great platform for the teens on so many levels. They get experience in meeting business owners and speaking with them about a topic that will benefit them while looking them in the eye.”

If you are a small business owner and would like to see if you qualify or to apply visit www.recoverstlucie.org or call 772-336-6285.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

The EDC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality in St. Lucie County through the attraction, retention, and expansion of businesses in the community.  The EDC works in partnership with local governments and the private sector to advance its goals of creating more and better-paying jobs for residents, broadening the tax base, and improving St. Lucie County’s economic quality of life.  Contact the EDC at 772.336.6250 or http://www.youredc.com.