To aid the entrepreneurs in the Lakeland area during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have compiled a resource pack, featuring funding streams, productivity tools, and information updates from local, statewide, and national sources.

RECENTLY UPDATED

BREAKING: FL Governor Announces State Shutdown

• Governor DeSantis has issued a “Safer at Home” Executive Order

• Defines essential business as outlined by Dept. of Homeland Security and Miami-Dade County

• In place from 4/3 at 12:01 a.m. through 4/30, subject to extensions

The Lakeland Chamber Virtual Elevator Pitches

• Business owners are invited to create a 15 second video about their business

• Submit the video to this email for a chance to be featured

 

U.S. Dept of the Treasury: Paycheck Protection Program Update

• Small businesses will be able to apply for a loan under PPP starting Friday, April 3

• Dept. released a top line overview of the program

• Information for borrowers can be found here

• Application for borrowers is now available

LOCAL RESOURCES

Disaster Loans for Small Businesses COVID-19 by the SBDC

• Resources around working remote, selling online, funding help, & staying healthy

• Updated with new information regularly

 Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist

• Clarifies answers to frequently asked questions about emergency loans

• More Coronavirus resources form the US Chamber of Commerce can be found here

State of the Spark Corona Recovery Dashboard

• Resources around working remote, selling online, funding help, & staying healthy

• Updated with new information regularly

Paycheck Protection Program FAQ’s by Hillsborough County

• Quick overview of this partially forgivable loan program for small businesses

• Loan program established by the CARES Act will distribute $350B

• Covers eligibility and application questions

Lakeland Gift Card Incentive Program

• List of local businesses offering gift cards for purchase

• Purchases provide needed sales to sustain businesses during this pandemic

• Submit an addition to the list here

 

CareerSource Polk: Short Time Compensation Information

• Information, links & examples about this program from the Florida DEO

• Helpful clarification for both employers and employees

Center State Bank Emergency Loan Clarification

• Clarifies funding options available to small businesses from local bank, Center State

• Detailed breakdown of SBA Loan options and Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Good Intents Free Local SEO Updates

• Catapult Members Good Intents are offering free changes to Google Business Listings

• Update customers on how your operations have been affected by COVID-19

• Good Intents has also written an article with tips about remote working as a team 

 

 State of the Spark Free Website Updates 

• Complimentary website updates regarding COVID-19 information

• Email support@stateofthespark.com with your request

 

City of Lakeland Cancellations & Closures

• List of government offices and closures

• Website will be updated as pandemic develops

 

Lakeland Electric COVID-19 Response

• Temporarily suspended service disconnects for non-payment until further notice

• Closed lobby and drop-box, but all other payment options remain open

• Customer service remains available at lakelandelectric.com or at 863-834-9535

 

Essential Services: Defined

• State by state list of “non essential business” definitions

• As of March 23rd, “shelter in place” and “stay at home” orders have allowed restaurants to continue to offer takeout and delivery options

 

Bridge Local Zoom Meetings

• Calendar of scheduled Zoom meetings around Lakeland small business support

• View recordings of past meetings on their Facebook page

• See Facebook post for recap of the CARES Act call with Congressman Spano

Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Resource Guide

• Includes links to Florida Chamber information + general business tips

• List of Lakeland Chamber Restaurant Takeout & Delivery Options

 

STATEWIDE RESOURCES

 

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

• Short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses experiencing economic hardship

• Small business owners with two to 100 employees can apply 

• Up to $50,000 of relief available per business

 

Embarc Collective Open Source COVID-19 Database

• Professional and personal resources for startup operators

• Work from home tips, productive tools, collaboration software

• Accepting contributions to the database here.

 

Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County 

• Free consulting to help small businesses prepare disaster loan applications. 

• Phone or Skype appointments available

• Visit HCFLGov.net/FSBDC to request a phone or Skype appointment.

 

Business Damage Assessment Survey

• Used to collect information about the impacts of COVID-19 on Florida businesses

• Governor Ron DeSantis has asked business owners to participate

 

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

• Online applications available for Reemployment Assistance

• Reemployment Assistance Hotline available at 1-800-204-2418

• Provides a COVID-19 FAQ resource for those filing

 

Florida Health Department COVID-19 Information

• Florida specific resources surrounding the state’s response to COVID-19

• Dashboard featuring information about COVID-19 cases in Florida

NATIONAL RESOURCES

NYTimes: F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Bill

• Commonly asked questions regarding new legislation

• Includes information around unemployment updates and stimulus checks

Shopify’s Ecommerce Business Blueprint

• Resource compiled by Ecommerce platform Shopify

• How to build, launch, and grow a profitable online store

• Key tips around shipping costs, online store design, and more

 

New York Times: Your Money: A Hub for Help During the Coronavirus Crisis

• Plain language breakdown of unemployment insurance and how to pause federal loans

• Who and what the new paid leave law covers

• Other COVID-19 related financial tips + information

 

CDC Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers

• Interim guidance around preventing workplace exposure

• Planning considerations for an infectious disease outbreak response

 

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans 

• Loans available of up to $2 million in assistance

• Long-term repayments available, up to a maximum of 30 years

• Apply at disasterloan.sba.gov

 

CO.STARTERS Recovery Guide

• Broad list of outside links to nationwide resources 

• Funding resources and tips for microloans and grants

 

Facebook for Business Resource Hub

• Resources such as toolkits, action guides, and more

• Information about upcoming Facebook Small Business Grant Program

• Program will provide $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 businesses

 

United Way COVID-19 Response

• Dial 211 to speak to someone about local assistance at any time.

• Donate to the United Way COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund

 

Startup Commons Free Online Innovation Entrepreneurship Course

• Offer 100% discounts for online courses 

• Modules covering the startup journey, formation, validation, scaling 

RESTAURANT INDUSTRY RESOURCES

 

Rally for Restaurants

• Platform for buying gift cards to independent restaurants 

• Use a ZIP Code search to find local favorites link Good Thyme or Mojo Federal

• Invite restaurant owners to platform via link

 

Women in Hospitality United

• A crowd sourced Google Sheet around restaurants’ responses to COVID-19

• Ideas for how to adjust service during outbreak

• Ideas for how to support staff

 

One Fair Wage

• Applications currently open for emergency relief for service workers

• Providing emergency cash gifts to applicants

• Accepting donations to continue relief efforts 

 

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United

• A national fund for restaurant worker relief

• Applications currently open

• Accepting donations here

 

Restaurant Workers Community Foundation

• Nationwide fund for displaced restaurant workers

• Fund currently under construction 

• Email covidhelp@restaurantworkerscf.org to join waitlist

 

USBG National Charity Foundation

• Launched the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program to aid needs 

• Do not need to be a USBG member to apply for a philanthropic grant