MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is starting a relief fund to help restaurants and hotels impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Independently owned spots who have had to pick up the pieces after the massive hurricane could receive up to $10,000 in grant money.

It’s been an exhausting two years for Ruth Hofer, the manager at the Linger Lodge RV Park.

They had been doing massive renovations on their RV park ever since the pandemic and were ready to open their doors once again to RVs on September 26^th.

Two days later, Hurricane Ian had other ideas.

“Most of our lots were unable to use because of debris and we had to get rid of the big trees,” Hofer said.

Hurricane Ian blew through and knocked over large trees and destroyed their brand-new fencing lining the RV park of this beloved location.

Without wind insurance, much of the expenses to rebuild would come out of pocket but the folks at the Linger Lodge were determined to reopen.

“It was another challenge but, in the end, everything has something good,” Hofer said. “They gave us lemons, we made lemonade.”

Just a couple days after Ian made landfall, they were able to pick up a lot of the debris and open up the campsite for RVs for the first time in years.

“We had people calling for a spot, we knew we needed that spot so were out cleaning that spot and then back on the phone to the next reservation,” Hofer said.

When driving around the campground there are a lot of RVs staying there, around 80 or so and most of them are doing more than just relaxing.

According to Hofer, most of the people here are driving before the sun rises down to Fort Myers to help in the cleanup before coming back here for the night.

She’s thankful to be their refuge.

“We’re really thankful that they’re here,” Hofer said. “We’re happy to be able to accommodate them. We’re trying our best to make them feel comfortable.”

 But the hospitality industry hasn’t completely rebounded from the storm, which is why Hofer is happy the state restaurant and lodging association is trying to help the spots that need it most.

“There’s a lot of places that were hit very hard. We were lucky and blessed that we weren’t,” Hofer said.

Being able to apply for these funds, according to Hofer, would get places back on track just in time for the winter months when the snowbirds head south.

But one look at their pool or their grounds and it’s apparent that Linger Lodge has worked hard to be open and welcome anyone.

If you’re restaurant or lodging business needs help and you think you qualify for this grant head to FRLA.org/relief.