Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Assistance
The CARES Act Stimulus Bill has been signed into law.
Click here to see what’s included in the bill.
This page is continually updated, so please check often.
April 24, 2020
After passing new stimulus legislation this week, Congress is set to add $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The second round of applications will officially open soon. And you don't have to go through your bank to access these funds.
Many small businesses have run into problems applying either because banks were not up and running yet, the bank wasn’t accepting applications, or simply because the system was jammed. Congress has opened up the application process to FinTech companies as well, so they can be used to apply too.
Here is a sample of FinTech companies that can also process applications for PPP and other small business loans.
- Biz2Credit
- BlueVine
- Cross River
- Divvy
- Kabbage
- Fundera
- Funding Circle
- Lendio
- Nav
- PayPal
- Quickbooks Captial
- Veem
Some companies are queueing up applications for once the new round of funding is officially passed, and loans are processed on a first-come-first-served basis, so get your documentation ready now.
Links
- Reopening Your Doors - Return to Work Toolkit
- Guide for Business Re-Opening Safe Practices
- Revised FAQ guidance on PPP loans, updated as of April 23, 2020
- Additional funding announced by the Federal Reserve to support lending to small businesses
- National Small Business Town Hall
- CARES Act Emergency Loan FAQ
- Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
- DEO Reemployment Assistance FAQ
Tutorials and educational webinars are offered by the following organizations:
- Recorded Webinar: May 19, 2020 Business Liability When Reopening
- COVID-19 Training For Employees: A Certificate For Healthy Workspaces
- Webinar: May 27th: Learn what Central Florida region’s lodging community should expect in the near future.
- 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
CareerSource provides information for displaced workers and resources for reemployment, unemployment filings, job fairs, and more.
CDC INTERIM 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.
Access these tools from the CDC here:
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
NOTICE - Due to funding limitations for the program, the State is unable to process new applications under the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.
SBA DISASTER ASSISTANCE LOANS AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESSES
Notice: New Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
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.
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.
Small Business Development Centers
- COVID-19 Florida Loan Application - For assistance in completing the application, contact your local Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office. To locate your local Florida SBDC visit www.FloridaSBDC.org/locations or contact SBDC toll-free (866) 737-7232.
- About SBDC
- March 18, 2020 SBDC Disaster Public Briefing
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
Private Companies
Facebook announced a $100 million grant for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and launched the Business Resource Hub, which features recommendations to help small businesses stay connected to customers and stay on track. Majority of grants will be distributed in cash, with some ad credits for business services.
Kabbage launched an online hub to help boost sales for U.S small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including a system through which businesses can sell gift cards to consumers for use at a later date.
MainVest, a crowdfunding platform, announced its new Main Street Initiative: a $2,000, zero-interest, 120 day loan for restaurants or other brick and mortars affected by the shutdown, in addition to its normal fundraising offerings.
Opportunity Fund, which specializes in money lending to small businesses owned by women, immigrants and people of color, is collaborating with investors and nonprofits to put together a coronavirus relief fund that will provide grants and low-interest rate loans to business owners in need.
RESTAURANT WORKERS' COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation formed a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for small businesses and their restaurant workers, and is accepting donations.
Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman announced the company is providing $25 million in coronavirus relief for independent restaurant and nightlife businesses in the form of waived advertising fees, and free advertising, products and services.