The City of Hollywood’s Office of Communications, Marketing & Economic Development is open for business, compiling information to assist Hollywood businesses throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the following business-related updates and links to resources:
Schedule of Events
- As a part of the Neighborhood Pride Program, the City of Hollywood’s Economic Development team launched its first series of Work Skills Training Scholarship Programs. All programming scheduled for the month of April is currently on schedule as planned. As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, registered participants should continue to monitor the City’s website for the latest information regarding classes and workshops.
- In partnership with the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the City’s Economic Development Team is planning a Facebook LIVE “COVID-19 Business Resources” event for a date and time this week. The goal of the event will be to address small business disruptions due to the outbreak. The discussion will focus on disaster programs currently available to small businesses at the State and Federal level and what information is needed to apply. Once the Facebook LIVE event is confirmed, we will share the day and time for business owners to participate.
- Staff will continue to post the most up-to-date information on the City’s main website, and our Economic Development website.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued the Business Damage Assessment Survey to evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy. The survey’s feedback allows the State Government to fully assess the economic impact COVID-19 is having on Florida businesses and industries, in order to mobilize the appropriate resources to help alleviate those pressures. The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online. Results will be shared with government agencies and local partners, including the Small Business Administration (SBA). For inquiries/assistance with the survey, contact ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
Business Preparedness Resources
(Guidance provided by the Florida SBDC Network and other City of Hollywood partners)
Despite cases continuing to rise, it’s not too late to take proactive steps to protect your business, employees, and customers. Here are a few things you can do right now:
1. Know the signs and symptoms
Reference this fact sheet from the CDC for what you need to know about COVID-19.
2. Update your disaster preparedness plan
Update your disaster preparedness plan to include guidance on COVID-19. A good plan will cover a number of things, including workplace safety precautions, travel restrictions, supply chain alternatives, procedures around remote work, and more. All of this should be documented to act as an easy-to-reference guide on how to keep the business running in difficult times.
3. Communicate and educate your employees
Most likely, your employees are concerned about their health and well-being and have uncertainties about their work. Communication through a crisis is critical. Discuss proper hygiene etiquette and measures your office is taking to ensure workplace cleanliness and safety. Inform sick or at-risk employees that they should stay at home to minimize health and safety risks for your workplace. If employees are nervous about their safety, consider switching to phone calls or other face-to-face alternatives. You might also consider reducing employee travel or attendance of large meetings.
4. Look into business interruption insurance
Ask your insurance provider about insurance to cover unexpected major events such as COVID-19.
5. Don’t panic
In the midst of the pandemic, it’s easy to get frightened. Stay up to date with the latest information from the most reliable sources to guide you. For more information, download these helpful guides for information about the virus, tips to safeguard your employees, and for information to plan and respond to the virus:
Business Recovery Resources
The City of Hollywood is monitoring State and Federal programs and the availability of disaster resources to help recover from economic injury and other impacts as a result of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor and update this information as it becomes available.
Federal Disaster Assistance
- Small Business Administration: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides working capital to small businesses (and some small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations) who have suffered “substantial economic injury” as a result COVID-19. Substantial economic injury means a business has been unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses.
- Important note: Currently, the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is not available to small businesses in Florida. Each state must make a request based on need for this federal loan program. The state of Florida utilizes its Business Damage Assessment Survey to determine the level of impact and need for federal and state disaster assistance. If your business has been impacted by the virus, it is imperative that you complete this important survey. We will continue to monitor the availability of this program and will update accordingly.
- Additional SBA information on small business disaster recovery programs
State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)
- Business Damage Assessment Survey: Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement appropriate relief programs can begin.
- Short Time Compensation Program for Employers: 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.
- State of Florida Bridge Loan Program: In the event of a disaster, the Governor of Florida has the option to activate the state’s Emergency Bridge Loan program by executive order. The purpose of the program is to provide an expedient source of capital to impacted small businesses. The bridge loan is a short-term, interest-free source of working capital intended to help the business “bridge the gap” between the time of impact and when federal assistance is available.
- Loan Details
- Amount: Up to $50,000 per eligible small business. Loans of up to $100,000 may be made in special cases as warranted by the need of the business
- Term: Loans may be for periods of up to one year
- Interest: Loans will be interest free for the term of the loan.
- Payments: Loans must be repaid in full by the maturity date of the established term.
- Important note: This loan program is not currently active. The state uses the responses from the Business Damage Assessment Survey to determine the need and impact of federal and state disaster assistance. If your business has been impacted by the virus, it is imperative that you complete this important survey. We will continue to monitor the availability of this program and will update accordingly.
- Additional State of Florida Business Recovery Information
Additional Online Resources
We will continue to monitor and update this information as it becomes available. Links to these established programs can be found on the City’s Economic Development website.
Please continue to monitor our websites: www.choosehollywoodfl.com and www.hollywoodfl.org for the latest updates.