ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Applications opened Wednesday for a $3 million disaster relief fund created to support small, independent businesses hit by hurricanes, flooding, fires and other natural disasters over the past year.
The fund is being offered by the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) and Chase. Grants are intended to help cover costs such as property damage, lost inventory and temporary operating expenses.
Restaurant owner Karen Fort said many local businesses are still feeling the impact of storm damage…