SMARTStart
COVID-19 ResourcesLast Updated 9/28/2020 10:00 a.m.
Pasco EDC OperationsPasco EDC will remain operational through virtual services in order to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. We will be utilizing online meeting platforms to continue to meet your business needs and will be offering business education series workshops online. We encourage the business community to take proper precautions and follow CDC recommendations as they are given. The Pasco EDC is here for you during this challenging time. |
Start Shifting Your Business Model to RECOVER from COVID-19It's never too soon to begin planning for your company's future. Our team will continue to put together valuable resources for your business.
Check out the COVID-19 RECOVERY Page
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Governor DeSantis: SAFE.SMART.STEP-BY-STEP
Plan For Florida’s Recovery Post COVID-19 Emergency
RE-OPENING FLORIDAPhase 3: Went into effect September 25, 2020. This order supersedes and eliminates any and all restrictions of Executive Orders 20- 112, 20-123 and 20-139, as well as Executive Orders 20-192, 20-214 and 20-223, except as modified herein.
Pasco County Requires MasksAn executive order requiring everyone in Pasco County to use face coverings while indoors at a public business or county government facility is now in effect. Code Enforcement began enforcing this order Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 5 p.m. Face Covering Order Requirements:
Pasco County has issued an amendment to the county’s face coverings executive order, adding an exemption for children attending formal day care or childcare programs. Those facilities must have a health and safety plan in place consistent with the county’s executive order requiring everyone in Pasco County to use face coverings while indoors at a public business or county government facility. |
Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR AccreditationThere is now a reimbursement grant program to cover fees associated with applying for and earning the GBAC STAR accredidation for infectious disease outbreak prevention, response and recovery. This Accreditation ensures that companies are trained on the techniques to properly disinfect and maintain their brick and mortar locations to create a “Safe. Smart.” environment for all upon reopening. Barbershops, Cosmetology Salons, and Cosmetology Specialty SalonsFlorida Department of Business & Professional Regulation: Effective May 11, 2020 the following restrictions are mandatory:
Pasco County Restaurant RecoveryPasco County will temporarily allow restaurants expanded outdoor seating for open-air dining without submitting for a permit.
For all rules and restrictions please click the link below. Restaurant Screenings Required for StaffThe Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) shall ensure all restaurants implement employee screening protocols pursuant to guidance developed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Pasco County Vacation Rentals |
Economic Resources
CARES Act 2020The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. There are many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). |
Main Street Lending ProgramSupports lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program will operate through two facilities: the Main Street New Loan Facility (MSNLF) and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (MSELF). Term sheets for each facility providing more information regarding eligibility and conditions can be found in the link below.
Small Business Administration LoanThe U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property.
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Pasco EDC Manufacturing SurveyOur country is in unprecedented times fighting an invisible enemy thrust upon our land, the Coronavirus COVID19 Pandemic. President Donald Trump has initiated a seldom used but important tool called The Defense Production Act, a federal law that is used to provide civil defense or war mobilization efforts. Recently, President Trump announced the use of the DPA (Defense Production Act) to procure coronavirus test kits and protective masks. We want to help Pasco’s manufacturers be ready to bid on orders from the Federal Government.
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Florida Emergency Supplier NetworkThe Division of State Purchasing organized the Florida Emergency Supplier Network and Florida Emergency Purchasing Network to assist state agencies and local governments with purchasing functions during emergencies. |
Business Damage Assessment SurveyThe Business Damage Assessment survey assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's local businesses, including those in Pasco County. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement economic relief programs for businesses can begin.
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Federal Paid Leave Law Signed by President TrumpOn Wednesday evening, March 18th, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the "Act"), which, among other things, mandates paid time off for certain qualifying events.
There are two primary components in terms of paid time off: (1) Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act ("E-FMLA") (2) Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act ("EPSLA") |
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Other Business and Economic Resources
For Employers
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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity- Short Time Compensation Program for Employers helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff
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Florida businesses can also visit http://floridadisaster.biz for more information
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Florida Makes has resources for businesses whose supply chains may be impacted by COVID-19
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The Employee Retention Credit is a refundable tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the qualified wages an eligible employer pays to employees after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021
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Frequently asked questions about the retention credit
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Watch a Pasco County Town Hall to learn about available grants and programs
- Did you purchase face masks, gloves or other Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for your Pasco County small business due to COVID-19? You may be eligible for up to $1,000 reimbursement under the new Pasco CARES Small Business PPE Reimbursement Program. This program is first-come first-served. Click HERE for more information
- Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Waving Fee until 12/31/2020 for Export Marketing Plans, more information
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Enterprise Florida Trade Resource: Virtual Business Matchmaking Grant is temporarily replacing Gold Key Grant due to Covid-19, more information
For Employees
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally funded benefit program that assists individuals who become unemployed because of a disaster
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Reemployment Assistance (RA) Benefits provides temporary wage replacement benefits to eligible individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. If your employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive RA benefits.
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As of April 1, 2020- the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), at the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, announced the waiving of the requirement to wait a week to receive Reemployment Assistance benefits through May 8, 2020. The waiting week has been waived so eligible Floridians may receive the support they need to help recover from the current economic impacts of COVID-19.
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Physical Applications for Reemployment Assistance are now being accepted, download here. Once completed, mail to: P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350
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Artist Grant Listings
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Digital Tools
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SMARTstart Pasco will be conducting numerous Facebook Live events featuring local business covering topics like remote work, marketing your business, how to do a podcast and more
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workforceCONNECT tools for operating your business remotely
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Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate
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Keep your business listing updated with these Google Business suggestions
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CO.STARTERS Small Business Resources
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Hootsuite- Blog: Adapting to More Digital and Social Ways of Being in a Time of Crisis. Company testimonials on how to use social to mitigate business disruption.
Travel Related
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Impact Planning ReportsThese infographics provide a look at the Tampa MSA and Pasco County as it relates to population, ages, income and other important information.
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Health Resources & COVID-19 Updates
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Pasco County Updates |
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