Your Business: COVID-19 Resources, Loan Options, and Updates Learn More Here

COVID-19 Resources

Pasco EDC Operations

Pasco EDC will remain operational through a hybrid of virtual and in-person 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. 

 

 

 

Shift Your Business Model to RECOVER from COVID-19

It'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
 
BUSINESS RECOVERY PAGE

 

 
 

Governor DeSantis: SAFE.SMART.STEP-BY-STEP

Plan For Florida’s Recovery Post COVID-19 Emergency

 

PHASE 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.  
 

VIEW EXECUTIVE ORDER

Florida Governor Website

 

Pasco County Executive Order Lifts Face Coverings Requirement

Pasco County Government is recommending the continued use of face coverings in most indoor public places where social distancing cannot be maintained; however, effective immediately, the county is issuing Executive Order 20-10, rescinding the previous Executive Order requiring face coverings. 
 
 
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Florida Department of Business &  Professional Regulation (DBPR)

For executive orders of Governor Ron DeSantis related to Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation  (DBPR) stakeholders visit the link below.

MORE INFORMATION

 

Department of Health

 

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)

The DEO provides state and federal resources to communities, businesses and Floridians. In coordination with state and federal partners, resources are available to assist employers and individuals impacted by the state’s efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

 

 

Economic Resources

CARES Act 2020

The 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.
 

CARES ACT GUIDE

CARES ACT LEGISLATION

 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reopened

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal, January 11th. SBA is continuing its dedicated commitment to underserved small businesses and to addressing potential access to capital barriers by initially granting PPP access exclusively to community financial institutions (CFIs) that typically serve these concerns.

The PPP portal is currently only accepting First Draw PPP loan applications from participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries. A First Draw PPP loan is for those borrowers who have yet to receive a PPP loan before the program closed in August 2020.

The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations.

On Jan. 13, 2021, participating CFIs may begin submitting application information to SBA for Second Draw PPP loans. A Second Draw PPP loan is for certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan, generally have 300 employees or less, and has suffered a 25% reduction in gross receipts. At least $15 billion is set aside for additional PPP lending by CFIs.

A few days later, additional lenders will be able to submit First and Second draw PPP loan applications. SBA will continue to provide updates on systems operations during the week of Jan. 11, 2021. Additionally, SBA plans to dedicate specific times to process and assist the smallest PPP lenders with loan applications from eligible small businesses.

Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp.

PPP First Draw Borrower Application

PP Second Draw Borrower Application

Community Development Financial Institutions Near You

PROGRAM INFORMATION

There is new guidance which reverses the original IRS position that prohibited businesses with Paycheck Protection Program loans from “double-dipping” by paying expenses with a forgivable loan, then writing off those expenses. Congress clarified the deductibility of these loans in the COVID relief bill that was signed into law on December 27.

VIEW GUIDANCE HERE

  

Main Street Lending Program

Supports 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 Loan 

The 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. 
 
 

Redevelopment Loan Program

To assist businesses that are economically-impacted by COVID-19, Pasco County is providing local businesses with supplemental financing through no-interest loans to help create/retain jobs or assist with renovations to accommodate for social distancing.
 

Business Damage Assessment Survey

The 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.
 

DEO SURVEY 

  

Federal Paid Leave Law Signed by President Trump

On 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")
 

VIEW LEGISLATION

 

  

 

 

 

Other Business and Economic Resources

For Employers

  • 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
  • Florida businesses can also visit http://floridadisaster.biz for more information
  • Florida Makes  has resources for businesses whose supply chains may be impacted by COVID-19
    • 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
    • Frequently asked questions about the retention credit
  • Enterprise Florida Trade Resource: Virtual Business Matchmaking Grant is temporarily replacing Gold Key Grant due to Covid-19, more information

 

For Employees

  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally funded benefit program that assists individuals who become unemployed because of a disaster
  • 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.

Digital Tools 

  • 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
  • workforceCONNECT tools for operating your business remotely 
  • Keep your business listing updated with these Google Business suggestions
  • 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

  

 

 

Health Resources & COVID-19 Updates

  

Pasco County Updates

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