Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Assistance

We've Opened Safely / Back to Work

The Osceola Back 2 Work Taskforce, in collaboration with St. Cloud and Kissimmee/Osceola Chambers of Commerce, welcomes your participation in helping promote safety and consumer confidence, as we re-open our economy. The “We’ve Opened Safely” initiative is a marketing campaign promoting a partnership between local governments, chambers, Main Street programs, and business associations across Osceola County.

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.

CAREER SOURCE CENTRAL FLORIDA

CareerSource provides information for displaced workers and resources for reemployment, unemployment filings, job fairs, and more.

CDC GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS AND EMPLOYERS

The CDC's interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a set of one-page decision tools to provide health and safety guidelines for reopening key sectors.

CDC Guidance for Community, Work and School

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.

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

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

NOTICE - 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.

Reemployment Assistance for Employers/Businesses

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.

TAX RELIEF

The IRS via Notice 2020-17 has delayed 2019 tax payments due April 15 until July 15, 2020. Please click the link to view the full release on information relating to delayed payments: https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm948