How Pensacola officials are helping small businesses recover from coronavirus crisis

Local officials say they’re already preparing for small business recovery after shutdowns to slow the coronavirus outbreak. Economic development and elected officials shared plans to help repair the local economy during a news conference Thursday morning. In addition to other efforts, Pensacola Mayor Grover Robinson announced the city would be dedicating an economic development staff…

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Mayor plans help for small businesses that could include direct financial payments

City officials expect to release an aid package next week that could include direct payments to small Jacksonville businesses struggling from the impact of COVID-19. Mayor Lenny Curry said March 26 in a virtual news conference that there’s “a very high possibility” the plan will include direct financial assistance. Curry did not provide details or the…

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An update for Pinellas County businesses on COVID-19

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for Pinellas businesses impacted by COVID-19 https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the federally funded U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. You can…

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Corey Isle project adds 10 single-family workforce homes to Delray’s SW neighborhood

Delray Beach will be increasing its portfolio of workforce housing thanks to the Corey Isle project. Ten single-family workforce homes will soon be built in the Southwest Neighborhood at the Northwest corner of Southwest Seventh Avenue and Southwest Fourth Street. The homes will be either three or four bedrooms with two bathrooms and rear-loaded garages…

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Pinellas Business News, April 2020: COVID-19 Resources & Info | Donations | SBA Virtual Office Hours and Webinars

COVID-19 Resources for Business We have compiled and are regularly updating a web page of information about COVID-19 for Pinellas County businesses. Please visit www.PCED.org/covid19to see the eligibility requirements for available loans, “Safer at Home” guidance and links to resources. Pinellas County’s “Safer at Home” Order is in effect as of 12:00 p.m. March 25, 2020. Full details for…

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How Congress’ Competing Coronavirus Bills Would Help State, Local Governments

While state and local government officials have argued they need billions from Congress to help stay afloat while spending to fight the spread of the coronavirus, the Senate’s $1.8 trillion economic stimulus package would pit them against businesses instead of providing dedicated funding. The latest version of the bill would provide $500 billion in economic…

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In Letter to Trump, DeSantis Calls for Major Disaster Declaration for Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Donald Trump Monday formally requesting that Trump declare a Major Disaster as the state responds to the coronavirus outbreak. In his letter, DeSantis asked for the inclusion of several individual assistance programs in the declaration, including: Disaster Unemployment Assistance; Crisis Counseling; Community Disaster Loans. Disaster Supplemental Nutrition…

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Florida mayor donating salary to pay his residents’ bills for trash pickup and energy

Grover Robinson, the mayor of Pensacola, Fla., will donate his annual salary of $100,000 toward paying for energy and trash collection for his residents amid the coronavirus outbreak. According to the Pensacola News Journal, the mayor announced he would donating his salary to Pensacola Energy as well as the town’s sanitation service, saying: “I’m not…

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May 8th deadline to apply for emergency loan for small businesses impacted by COVID-19

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens tomorrow, March…

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