Tampa Bay COVID-19 Update: Helpful Information and Resources

April 1, 2020

Taking into consideration reported cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infections in Florida, the Tampa Bay EDC is providing resources to our partners, Investors and local business community in order to help safeguard their employees and businesses.

Below you will find a variety of information that we have categorized by subject matter: Business assistance programs, webinars and conference calls, Tampa Bay area business resources, Tampa Bay area nonprofit resources, and federal and state information.

We are continuously updating this page. If you have a resource or program you think we should include, please contact our marketing director.

Business Assistance Programs

This is no doubt an uneasy and unpredictable time for business owners. The government is starting to announce bridge programs and emergency loan programs to help businesses get through this uncertain time.

1. Summary of key items from recently passed CARES Act | Hickey and Associates
2. Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act | U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
3. Complete the State of Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey | FloridaDisaster.Biz
4. Summary of the Paycheck Protection Program Small Business Loan | Hillsborough County government
5. The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program | FloridaDisasterLoan.org
6. Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Tampa Bay businesses | Florida SBDC at USF
7. Short Time Compensation Program for Employers | Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
8. Economic Injury Disaster Loans  | The U.S. Small Business Administration

 

Helpful Webinars and Conference Calls

Upcoming events:

1. Thursday, April 2, 2020, 9-11 a.m. – Small Business Recovery | SBA South Florida
   Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633; Code: 0368196
2. Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. – Understanding the COVID-19 Stimulus Package | The Tampa Bay Chamber
3. Thursday, April 2, 2020, 1-3 p.m. – Small Business Recovery | SBA South Florida
   Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633; Code: 0915149
4. Friday, April 3, 2020, 9-11 a.m. – Small Business Recovery | SBA South Florida
   Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633; Code: 0420385
5. Friday, April 3, 2020, 1-3 p.m. – Small Business Recovery | SBA South Florida
   Dial-in: 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633; Code: 0698553
6. Friday, April 3, 2020, 3 p.m. – CARES Act – A Closer Look | IEDC

Recordings of past events:

1. The State of Business During COVID-19 | The Tampa Bay Chamber

 

Tampa Bay Area Business Resources

These local resources address a variety of operational guidelines for employers.

1. Business Relief | City of Tampa
2. COVID-19 information and FAQs | City of Tampa
3. Safer-at-home order | Hillsborough County
4. Coronavirus information for Business | Hillsborough County
5. Complete Coronavirus Information | Hillsborough County
6. Covid-19’s Impact on Employers: Just the Facts | GrayRobinson
7. Relief programs for businesses | Valley Bank
8. Reemployment and employment assistance guide | CareerSource Tampa Bay
9. Reemployment and employment assistance guide in Spanish | CareerSource Tampa Bay
10. Key Insights for your Business | Baker McKenzie
11. Financial insights regarding tax filings, reporting costs and industry sector impacts | Marcum
12. FREE 24/7 bilingual emotional support helpline at 833-848-1762 | Florida Blue
13. Increase access to health care services | Florida Blue 
14. Travel guidelines and advisories | Tampa International Airport
15. Cruise safety and Coronavirus prevention measures | Port Tampa Bay

 

Tampa Bay Area Nonprofit Resources

The following list provides ways to support nonprofits and their operations during this difficult time. 

1. Tampa Bay Rapid Response Fund | Community Foundation of Tampa Bay
2. Community Investment Opportunities and Response and Recovery Fund | United Way Suncoast
3. COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits | The Nonprofit Leadership Center

 

State and Federal Information

State of Florida resources and information:

1. Supply chain disruption planning | Florida Makes
2. COVID-19 Resource Center | The Florida Chamber of Commerce
3. What you need to know about COVID-19 in Florida | The Florida Department of Health
4. Executive order from the Office of the Governor as of 4/1/2020 issuing Safer-at-Home order for the entire state of Florida
5. Executive order from the Office of the Governor as of 3/17/2020
6. Executive order from the Office of the Governor as of 3/9/2020

Federal resources and information:

1. One-pager on Paycheck Protection Program | U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
2. Paycheck Protection Program FAQs | U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
3. Combating the Coronavirus | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
4. Interim guidelines for businesses and employers to plan and respond to Coronavirus | The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
5. Public safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 | CDC
6. Mass gathering guidelines | CDC
7. For veterans who believe they may have symptoms of coronavirus, please contact the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center or phone the 24/7 call center at 1-877-741-3400
8. Up-to-date travel advisories | U.S. Department of State

 

The EDC will continue to update this page as more information about assistance to local businesses becomes available.