Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Assistance
Resources and assistance for Osceola County businesses affected by COVID-19.
References
- April 27, 2021: Take advantage of the Employee Retention Credit – Latest guidance from the IRS
- US Dept of Treasury: Assistance for Small Businesses
- Is your restaurant, bar or catering biz still struggling? Here's how to tap into Restaurant Revitalization Fund
- CARES Act Emergency Loan FAQ, updated March 2021.
- DEO Reemployment Assistance FAQ
Partner Agencies
- Orlando Economic Partnership
- Kissimmee/Osceola Chamber of Commerce
- Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce
- African American Chamber of Commerce
- National Entrepreneurial Center for links to other CFL Chambers and business organizations.
Resources
Business Damage Assessment Survey
In response to COVID-19, the State of Florida has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on local business operations to help direct State resources and enable access to Federal programs.
CareerSource provides information for displaced workers and resources for reemployment, unemployment filings, job fairs, and more.
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
Read information and guidance for department stakeholders related to agency actions, updated meeting schedules, and other matters during this state of emergency at: www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/emergency.
The Department of Revenue has established a dedicated team to address tax-related issues pertaining to COVID-19 and has created an email address, COVID19TAXHELP@floridarevenue.com, where taxpayers can send questions and concerns. The Department encourages all taxpayers to use our e-services applications to file and pay taxes or contact our call center at (850) 488-6800.
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan is inactive at this time. In the event of an Emergency Bridge Loan activation for any future declared disasters, please check this page for more information on the Emergency Bridge Loan program.
SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE LOANS AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESSES
For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
- Osceola County Eligible for SBA Assistance to Small Businesses Affected by January 2022 Freeze: The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) in Florida for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations due to freeze, frost and ice that occurred on Jan. 23-31, 2022, including Osceola County. Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Nov. 21, 2022.
SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff. The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees.
- Click here to learn more about or apply to the short-time compensation program: The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) in Florida for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations due to freeze, frost and ice that occurred on Jan. 23-31, 2022, including Osceola County.
Small Business Development Centers
The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties, and maintains six sub-center offices in addition to the main office in Orlando. The Florida SBDC Network (FSBDCN) delivers training and information to help businesses succeed and create positive impact for the Florida economy.