We Are Here For Your Hollywood Business
The City of Hollywood’s Office of Communications, Marketing & Economic Development (CMED) is open for business, compiling information to assist Hollywood businesses throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to check the City of Hollywood’s webpage, sign up for City and Business email/text updates, and follow us on Facebook. Our team is available to talk you through any of your business-related issues. Contact us at 954.921.3620 or by email.
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City of Hollywood: Backing Business - Temporary Café Zones
The purpose of the Temporary Café Zone expansion is to back the City’s restaurant businesses that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 mitigation measures, and provide these businesses with the opportunity to expand their dining areas using outdoor spaces. This 30-day pilot program will run from Thursday, May 21st through Monday, June 22nd.
The use of Temporary Café Zones requires restaurants to register online, which includes submitting a registration form with supporting documents (indemnification form and proof of insurance), along with other requirements. Restaurants are NOT PERMITTED to begin establishing their expanded outdoor dining spaces until approval of registration.
Please note: Approved restaurants located in the designated expanded Temporary Café Zones on Hollywood Boulevard and the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk are permitted to operate in the expanded areas ONLY during the designated time period.
To learn more and apply for Temporary Café Zones, please click here.
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Phase 1 of Reopening Hollywood Businesses
On May 18, 2020, Broward County joined into the State’s Phase 1 Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Under the Phase 1 order, some businesses previously closed, or open only for certain activities, have reopened with restrictions. These businesses include:
- Professional Services
- Restaurants and Food Establishments
- Personal Services (such as barbershops and salons)
- Drive-In Movie Theaters
- Community Rooms, Fitness Centers and Gyms in Housing Developments
- Public Community Pools and Private Club Pools
- Museums
Click here to learn more about the businesses that may reopen and the restrictions that must be followed.
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Click here to access a list of PPE vendors which the City of Hollywood has compiled.
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Important Update: Business Assistance Programs
President Trump Signs $484 Billion In Federal Aid For Small Business Lending Programs
On Friday, April 24, 2020, President Donald Trump signed legislation providing an additional $310 billion in funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $60 billion of which is reserved for community banks and small lenders; $75 billion for hospitals; $25 billion to support testing efforts; and $60 billion for emergency disaster loans and grants. Read the COVID-19 Federal Legislative Summary Update here.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act Fact Sheets: CLICK HERE
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Updates on Business COVID-19 Assistance & Restarting - Watch the recording here
Hear the most current guidance on how to access the second round of federal assistance funding for your small business, as well as additional sources of cash that are built into the CARES Act. Preparations for small businesses to take upon reopening were also discussed during this free webinar.
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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
Applications are only accepted through existing SBA 7(a) lenders or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.
Need an SBA-approved lender to apply for PPP? Use this search tool to find nearby lenders eligible to issue a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program. Due to high demand for this program, we advise you to contact your lender(s) and confirm if PPP applications are still being accepted.
PPP Funding Workshop: Watch this video from the Office of Economic and Small Business Development of Broward County.
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AICPA’s List of Recommendations For PPP Application & Loan Forgiveness
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has outlined the steps businesses should take both when applying for a PPP loan, as well as guidelines to maximize PPP loan forgiveness. Review these steps now to submit an effective PPP application and prepare for loan forgiveness at the end of the 8-week covered period.
Among other suggestions for loan forgiveness, the AICPA urges that:
- The 8-week covered period under PPP should align with the beginning of a pay period, not the date loan proceeds are received.
- The 8-week period should commence once local stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, not when loan proceeds are received, so small businesses have adequate funds to ramp up operations.
- Full-time job equivalents (FTEs) can be calculated using a simple wage-based proxy when hours worked are not tracked by the employer.
- Payroll reduction calculations should be based on average payroll per employee per week, not total compensation per employee.
Click here for AICPA’s List of Recommendations
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PPP Loan Forgiveness: Application & Instructions
The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.
The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:
- Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles
- Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan
- Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness
- Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30
- Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined
Click here to view the application and instructions.
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Reemployment Assistance - Application Guide
(formerly Unemployment Compensation)
Reemployment Assistance benefits (formerly Unemployment Compensation) are available to Floridians whose employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and is available for workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In Florida, a maximum of $275 a week is typically available for a maximum of 26 weeks. The CARES Act has provided for $600 a week for a maximum of 16 weeks in additional assistance and made other modifications due to the current pandemic.
According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, if you were denied benefits or if you applied on or before April 4, you should reapply online at www.FloridaJobs.org (regardless of whether you have received a response from the department). This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, people who just moved to Florida, or almost anyone else who wouldn’t normally be eligible for state benefits.
If you applied on or after April 5, the state will already be able to process your claim.
Please click here for the City of Hollywood’s Reemployment Assistance Application Guide, which is a step-by-step guide on how to complete and submit the online application. In addition to applying online from a computer or mobile device, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is now accepting paper applications for Reemployment Assistance claims (available in English, Spanish and Creole). Here are three ways to obtain a paper application to mail in:
A) Download an application here and mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.
B) FedEx is now offering free printing and mailing of Reemployment Assistance paper applications at over 100 storefronts across the state. Click here to find your nearest FedEx store location.
C) Pick up a paper application from a CareerSource Broward career center below, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once you have completed your paper application, please mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.
- 7550 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, 33024
- 2610 West Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, 33311
- 4941 Coconut Creek Pkwy, Coconut Creek, 33063
PIN Trouble When Applying For Reemployment Assistance
If you are unable to reset your PIN online:
- Call the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for assistance: 1-800-297-0586
- CareerSource Broward is now doing PIN resets for Reemployment Assistance (RA) customers in order to assist DEO with the overflow of PIN reset requests. Click here, scroll down to the “Get Help With Resetting Your CONNECT PIN” section, and click on the “Submit PIN Reset Request” button. This puts your name on a list so your PIN can be reset by CareerSource Broward staff.
Please note that in some cases, individuals may need to authenticate their identity. To do this, you will need to send a copy of your driver license and social security card to DEO:
- OR -
Still have questions regarding Reemployment Assistance? Check out the FAQ page on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website.
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COVID-19 Webinars
The SBA South Florida District Office will host a series of Small Business Recovery webinars in English and Spanish to provide the latest information on how the SBA is helping small businesses with their economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19.
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Considering laying off your employees? Watch this video first from Mason Jackson, CareerSource Broward President & CEO.
The City of Hollywood urges its business community to evaluate the Short-Time Compensation Program in an effort to curtail major layoffs.
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. Apply here.
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Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program
Currently, the DEO is not accepting applications for the Emergency Bridge Loan Program. If you have previously applied, check your application status below.
View Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Application Status
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and its emergency bridge loan partners will continue to review applications that are received online or postmarked by Monday, April 13, 2020. DEO and its Emergency Bridge Loan partners will continue to quickly and efficiently process loans for Florida businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19 until available funds are expended.
For questions regarding the loan program, please contact DEO toll-free at 833-832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.
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Has COVID-19 affected your business? Take this survey to help activate additional resources.
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.
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Financial Impact of COVID-19: Retailers & Landlords Can Take Action
Shelter-in-place orders, designed to stem the spread of COVID-19, also mean uncertainty and disruption, including widespread closures of shopping centers. SCT spoke with four experts about what landlords should do; what retailers can do; landlord liquidity, both short term and long term; and how the CARES Act stacks up. Read the full article here.
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Important Information on Vacation Rentals
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 20-87 mandating that all parties engaged in the rental of vacation rental properties suspend these operations. All vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and must not accept any new guests for check-in for the duration of the order.
If you believe any licensee is operating contrary to the Governor’s Executive Order 20-71 or Executive Order 20-87, please report the information to Department of Business and Professional Regulation using this form.
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CONNEX Florida: Florida’s Supply Chain Database
The purpose of this tool is to help Florida manufacturers better connect with each other, be discovered, and increase business opportunities. Through this database you can:
- Connect with manufacturers
- Post RFPs/RFQs/RFIs
- Exchange surplus materials & equipment
- Identify workforce and R&D offerings
- Search processes, equipment, certifications, NAICS, SIC, products, materials
For more information on Connex Florida, click here.
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Economic Impact Payments
Distribution of economic impact payments from the IRS to help Americans through the COVID-19 crisis has begun. Visit the IRS page to learn who qualifies and how it works.
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Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming GHCC Programs & Content: Webinars and online classes, provided by GHCC members and experts, can be viewed here.
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Local Restaurant Guides: If your Hollywood restaurant offers curbside pickup, takeout, delivery or drive-thru services, click here to add your business to one or more restaurant guides.
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Hospitality Industry Resources
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.
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Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
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.
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Information on Federal Economic Relief
Additional Online Resources
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Learn How To Promote Your Business With Google Ads
The "Google Ads" platform can be very effective at recruiting new customers for your business, but you have to know the best techniques for using it. Nancy Leve, digital marketing expert, walks you through the Google Ads content creation, bidding, and scheduling process. Click here to watch the recording of this SCORE Broward webinar.
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Completing the Census Survey = More Resources for Businesses & Communities
Take the Census Today... 10 minutes is all it takes!
Have you completed the Census questionnaire? It’s important that you do so. Your response ensures Hollywood receives federal support for a wide range of important services including public safety, education, healthcare and workers benefits. There’s Strength in Numbers… Make Hollywood Strong! Fill out your Census questionnaire today: www.my2020census.gov
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Links to these established programs can be found on the City’s Economic Development website. Please continue to monitor www.hollywoodfl.org and www.choosehollywoodfl.com for the latest updates.
Economic Development Division
Raelin Storey, CMED Director
Herb Conde-Parlato, Economic Development Manager
Tekisha Jordan, Principal Planner
Marina Melo, Economic Development Marketing Coordinator
Community Redevelopment Agency - Beach & Downtown Districts
Jorge Camejo, Executive Director
954.924.2980