Effective immediately, eligible small businesses interested in applying for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program, a short-term loan designed to help business owners bridge the gap between the time of impact and when the business has secured long-term assistance, should apply for the program through one of two ways:

• Apply online and upload required supporting documentation

- OR -

• Download an application, complete it and mail it with the required supporting documentation to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) at: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, C/O Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, 107 E. Madison Street, MSC-160, Tallahassee FL 32399-4120.

Small businesses that have already applied for the bridge loan program in response to COVID-19 should not submit an additional application.
 
Funds are already being disbursed to approved applicants! To complete a Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan application by the May 8, 2020 deadline, and for more information about the program, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.
 
For application assistance, please contact the Florida SBDC office nearest you at www.FloridaSBDC.org/locations. For questions regarding the loan program, please contact DEO toll-free at 833-832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.

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. Apply here.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) South Florida District Office will host a series of Small Business Recovery webinars to provide the latest information on how the SBA is helping small businesses with their economic recovery. Webinars will be offered throughout the week during the time periods of 9AM-11AM and 1PM-3PM and are:

• Free to attend.
• Limited to 250 registered attendees.
• Pre-registration is required here.

For additional information, feel free to contact the staff during Virtual Office Hours:

Monday, March 23 - Friday, April 04

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. AND 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Phone: 202.765.1264 or Skype (Conference ID# 162817288)

Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming GHCC Programs & Content
Webinars and online classes, provided by GHCC members and experts, can be viewed here.

COVID-19 Best Practices: A Guide To Doing Business
The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) is creating a "COVID-19 Best Practices: A Guide To Doing Business" forum to help businesses adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Email the GHCC if you:

• Are hosting a virtual seminar
• Have a blog with valuable content
• Are posting content on social media
• Have information to contribute which assists the business community to conduct better business

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau has compiled these resources to assist the hospitality industry affected by COVID-19.

Attractions, tours, restaurants and any tourism business providing virtual tours, learning experiences, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, musical performances, etc. through videos or social media live streams, may fill out this form to be included in the Virtual Vacation Experiences page.

Businesses can request a virtual meeting with the Alliance regarding business preservation assistance, including low- or no-interest loan opportunities and short time compensation for employers. Additionally, the Alliance has compiled business resources here.

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.