Tampa Bay COVID-19 Update: Helpful Information and Resources

September 24, 2020

The Tampa Bay EDC remains committed to providing helpful resources for local businesses. Now that the state and county are shifting to recovery and reopening, we’ve updated this page starting with the latest information to help guide your reopening strategy.

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

Business Recovery and Reopening Guidelines

1. Economic Recovery Task Force Recommendations | Tampa Bay EDC
2. Back to Business Hillsborough Toolkit | Tampa Bay EDC, Tampa Bay Chamber, Visit Tampa Bay
3. Rapid Response Recovery Program (R3) | Hillsborough County – ASSISTANCE STILL AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
4. Plan for Florida’s Recovery | Governor DeSantis
5. Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Report | Re-Open Florida Task Force
6. FAQs to the Governor’s Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step Executive Order | Florida Chamber of Commerce
7. Florida’s Economy: What the Road to Recovery Looks Like | Florida Chamber of Commerce
8. Business Continuity: Steps to Reopen and Plan for Future Business Success | Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council
9. Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step | Hillsborough County
10. Free COVID-19 testing information | Hillsborough County
11. Lift Up Local Economic Recovery Plan | City of Tampa
12. COVID-19: Securing the workplace | McKinsey & Company
13. Guide to reopening your workplace | Cushman Wakefield
14. The Future of Workplace Report | Cushman Wakefield
15. #TPAReady Toolkit | Tampa International Airport
16. Tampa Bay Prepared: Reopening Resources for Restaurants and Hotels | Visit Tampa Bay
17. Restaurant Recovery Checklist | City of Tampa
18. Responsible Patron Checklist | City of Tampa

Tampa Bay Area Business Resources

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

1. Rapid Response Recovery Program (R3) | Hillsborough County – ASSISTANCE STILL AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
2. The Relief Now; Rise Together Fund for Businesses | The City of Tampa
3. Get Connected. Stay Safe | Hillsborough County
4. Business Relief | City of Tampa
5. Online Cybersecurity Advisory Center | Cyber Florida
6. COVID-19 online fraudsters are smart. Here are some tips to keep your information safe. | Synovus
7. COVID-19 Financial Fraud Awareness | Synovus
8. #TPAReady Toolkit | Tampa International Airport

Tampa Bay Area Employment Assistance and Health Resources

These local resources address a variety of employment, health and mental health resources and assistance programs for Hillsborough County’s residents. 

1. CARES ACT Rapid Response Recovery Program for Job Seekers | CareerSource Tampa Bay
2. Free COVID-19 testing information | Hillsborough County
3. COVID-19 Business and Employment Help | Hillsborough County
4. Reemployment and employment assistance guide | CareerSource Tampa Bay
5. Un guía para servicios de Reempleo | CareerSource Tampa Bay
6. Job seeker resources | CareerSource Tampa Bay
7. Recursos para los buscadores de empleo | CareerSource Tampa Bay
8. Mental health and crisis support | Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
9. Mental health resources | Hillsborough County
10. Hillsborough County Needs Your Feedback – Survey | Hillsborough County
11. COVID-19 information and FAQs | City of Tampa

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

Helpful Webinars and Conference Calls

Upcoming events:

1. October 8, 2020 at 6 p.m. | Workplace Re-Imagined: Human Capital and the Return of the Workplace | St. Leo University

Recordings of past events:

1. Business Continuity: Steps to Reopen and Plan for Future Business Success | Florida Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council
2. Path Forward: Navigating the Return to Work (series) | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
3. Creating a Safe Workplace | Tampa General Hospital
4. The State of Business During COVID-19 | Tampa Bay Chamber
5. Understanding the COVID-19 Stimulus Package | Tampa Bay Chamber
6. CARES Act for Your Business | Tampa Bay Chamber
7. From Surviving to Thriving | Tampa Bay Chamber
8. Moving Forward Webinar | Tampa Bay Chamber
9. Maintaining a Trusted Brand | Tampa Bay Chamber
10. Navigating Reemployment Resources | Tampa Bay Chamber
11. Europe’s Perspective on COVID-19 | Tampa Bay Chamber
12. Pushing Past Pandemic | Tampa Bay Chamber
13. SBA Disaster Loans Explained | Florida SBDC Network
14. COVID-19: Preparing for What Comes Next | IEDC
15. COVID-19: Demystifying Financial Programs and Resources | IEDC

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. Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Tampa Bay businesses | Florida SBDC at USF
2. Short Time Compensation Program for Employers | Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
3. Economic Injury Disaster Loans  | The U.S. Small Business Administration

State and Federal Information

State of Florida resources and information:

1. COVID-19 Resource Center | Florida Chamber of Commerce
2. Small Business Guide: Tips to Do Right Now to Stay Afloat | Florida Chamber of Commerce
3. Small Business Council Toolkit | Florida Chamber of Commerce
4. Florida Tourism Strong Recovery Marketplace | Destinations Florida
5. Enterprise Florida Suspends Initial Fees through its Microfinance Guarantee Program | Enterprise Florida
6. Supply chain disruption planning | Florida Makes
7. What you need to know about COVID-19 in Florida | The Florida Department of Health

Federal resources and information:

1. Coronavirus: Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources | SBA
2. The CARES Act | U.S. Department of Treasury
3. To help combat the spread by donating or selling medical supplies | FEMA
4. Combating the Coronavirus | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
5. Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist | U.S. Chamber of Commerce
6. Latest COVID-19 news and guidelines | Centers for Disease Control
7. Interim guidelines for businesses and employers to plan and respond to Coronavirus | The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
8. Public safety guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 | CDC

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