School closures and stay-at-home orders to combat the coronavirus outbreak have made internet access even more of a necessity for Americans, whether they need to log into virtual classrooms, just talk to family members or attend Zoom meetings. But not everyone has reliable access to the internet. To help connect residents, one Delaware county is…
As the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, agencies at all levels of government continue to launch online resources for their constituents to find resources, help and new information. New York City is perhaps the jurisdiction hardest hit by the crisis in the world right now, and, as such, earlier this month technologists there launched the NYC…
NORTH MIAMI – To assist businesses during the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (NMCRA) is creating two emergency relief grant programs for North Miami businesses within the CRA boundaries that have been severely impacted and are facing challenging times during this ongoing crisis. Consisting of two separate programs, the Emergency Relief for…
The Jacksonville City Council on Monday unanimously approved a relief package for small businesses, which will pay a $1,000 grant and cover the fees, interest and principal of loans for qualifying businesses that borrow from Vystar Credit Union. Vystar is preparing to loan up to $50 million to Jacksonville businesses, and the city’s contribution to…
The city of West Palm Beach held a meeting Friday morning to discuss the last developments in the fight against the coronavirus. “I believe that this will likely get worse before it gets better,” said Mayor Keith James. “We all must do our part. Together we can save lives.” James said the new coronavirus testing…
We’re approximately one month in to taking Coronavirus seriously as a society. As more and more states and localities issue stay-at-home orders to keep us safe and healthy, businesses are shuttering, and unemployment is skyrocketing. Although protecting the U.S. from even graver and more rampant cases is priority number one, cities are also trying to…
The St. Petersburg City Council is set to resume regular Council meetings virtually, via Zoom, beginning April 16. On the agenda for the Council’s first meeting back will be the first reading of three ordinances related to Covid-19 emergency relief funding. Through the ordinances, Mayor Rick Kriseman’s administration seeks to mobilize three tax increment financing…
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, Becker and the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presented an interactive live webinar on Small Business Disaster Resources and COVID-19. Moderated by Jennifer Bales Drake, Shareholder and Vice Chair of Public, Private Partnerships (P3) practice group, Becker, the live webinar featured panelists: Victoria Guerrero, U.S. Small Business Administration. Mike DiNapoli,…
Today, the City of St. Petersburg announced the creation of the Fighting Chance Fund. This emergency grant will be available to St. Pete residents who own and independently operate small businesses which have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 orders. The fund is expected to provide critical support to about 1,000 restaurant, bar, retail, and service-based…
Program Provides Immediate Relief with Deferment Option One day after City Commissioners participated in an intergovernmental agency board decision approving a $1 million emergency disaster relief package for local businesses, the City of Tallahassee is launching a program to help further ease the financial burden that businesses and individuals may be experiencing as a result of…
KEEP THE MORNING ROUTINE. Keep your normal morning routine just like you are planning on going to your office, including wearing what you would normally wear. There are many conveniences of working from home but keeping your normal routine and dressing for the occasion will help you stay mentally focused on your tasks for the…
Government acting alone cannot solve the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities have amazingly smart, creative, resourceful, kind, and caring residents who are willing and able to help. Local governments must encourage and challenge our residents to unleash their many talents to help their community cope in these difficult times. We will only get through this crisis when…
