SMARTStart
COVID-19 ResourcesLast Updated 4/8/2020 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 are also sending out short surveys to our businesses to assess needs and capabilities, please continue to complete. 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. |
Town Hall for Pasco County Businesses held on April 1, 2020(video begins at 5:30)
hosted by Mike Moore, Chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners
Presentations by Bill Cronin, CEO, Pasco EDC and Eileen Rodriguez, Regional Director, SBDC Tampa Bay
DISCUSSION TOPICS: Available Loan Programs • New Legislation • Florida Emergency Supplier Network • Essential Businesses
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Governor DeSantis Issues Stay at Home Order
Executive Order 20-52- Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency
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Essential BusinessesGovernor DeSantis has defined essential services in accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency's guidelines.
Florida Division of Emergency ManagementIf you have questions about your business being an essential service or would like to request for your business to be added to the approved list of essential services outlined in Executive Order Number 20-91 click the button below. (This link has been removed by FDEM, we will update it as soon as we receive an updated link, sorry for any inconvenience 4/7 9:30am)
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Your U.S. Census Response Matters
Why is the 2020 Census so important to Pasco County, FL? Because over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.
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). |
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. SBA disaster loans offer an affordable way for individuals and businesses to recover from declared disasters.
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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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Pasco County Tourism Economic Impact SurveyIn order to develop a clear understanding of the potential economic impact our destination faces, Florida's Sports Coast has partnered with Destinations Florida and Downs & St. Germain Research (FSC's research firm) to provide the following survey to help gather vital information from you on how COVID-19 has impacted your business.
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Small Business Emergency Bridge LoanThe Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is available to small business owners in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage from COVID-19. These short-term, interest-free working capital loans are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a major catastrophe hits and when a business has secured longer term recovery resources, such as sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance. SBDC Tampa Bay can assist companies through the process.
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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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Treasury and IRS to Move Tax Day DeadlineFollowing President Donald J. Trump’s emergency declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance allowing all individual and other non-corporate tax filers to defer up to $1 million of federal income tax (including self-employment tax) payments due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest. The guidance also allows corporate taxpayers a similar deferment of up to $10 million of federal income tax payments that would be due on April 15, 2020, until July 15, 2020, without penalties or interest.
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"We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15," Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted (3/20/2020). "All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties." Please see the treasury website for more information. |
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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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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General Information
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Florida Legislature Passes $93.2 Billion Budget
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President Trump directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to suspend evictions and foreclosures for the next 60 days
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HUD Changes PIT/HIC Deadline to June 30, 2020
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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Upcoming Event Schedule
Status Updates
4/7/2020 | How to Do Podcast Virtual Session Facebook Live
4/8/2020 | East Pasco Advisory Committee Virtual Session Zoom
4/8/2020 | Common Grounds Virtual Session- Zoom
4/9/2020 | Lunch N Learn Cancelled
5/7/2020 | GrowPasco Dinner with a Shark TBD
5/8/2020 | GrowPasco Main Event TBD
Spring | Meet the Project Postponed
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