CRA approves $50,000 grant for Backstreet Sports Bar patio and grease-trap repairs

The Cape Coral CRA on July 29 approved a Breaking Barriers to Business (B2B) grant for M.S. Capital Inc., operating as Backstreet Sports Bar at 915 Southeast 47 Terrace, to support reconstruction of an outdoor patio and replacement of a grease trap damaged in Hurricane Ian.

A city presenter told the board the total project investment was described in the packet and staff recommended the full award of $50,000, "which is about 13% of the total project cost." Commissioners asked for confirmation that the project met ordinance criteria and sought clarity on the program’s look-back and reimbursement rules. Staff said the B2B program has a $25,000 minimum eligible investment and is reimbursement-based: reimbursements only allow a 90-day look-back for incurred expenses, although the total investment calculation can include expenditures made earlier to determine the 20% cap.

Commissioner Gunter confirmed staff had verified the program criteria and Commissioner Long asked that the packet include the scoring rubric going forward; staff agreed to provide the rubric after the meeting. A motion to approve the grant passed on roll call 8-0.