Emergency Business Damage Assessment Survey
Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local business operations. 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 appropriate relief programs can begin.
The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Completing this survey could help unlock State and Federal funding. For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program
In order to reach the smallest businesses, SBA will offer PPP loans to businesses with fewer than 20 employees and sole proprietors only from Wednesday, February 24 through Wednesday, March 10, 2021. President Biden has also announced additional program changes to make access to PPP loans more equitable.
Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan
South Florida Regional Planning Council Loan Programs
The South Florida Regional Planning Council offers two different loan programs to help businesses impacted by COVID-19.
CARES Revolving Loan Program
For businesses impacted by COVID-19
The South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) has secured funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to capitalize a small business revolving loan fund for business adversely impacted by COVID-19. These funds, provided pursuant to the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), will be administered by the SFRPC through its Revolving Loan Fund CARES Act Program.
Small businesses, sole proprietors and 501c3 organizations located within Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach counties are eligible to apply.
The RLF CARES Act Program is a long-term financing program to help stabilize existing businesses impacted by COVID-19. RFL CARES Act Program funds CAN be combined with:
*Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
*Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or
*the State of Florida Bridge Loan Program
Personal guaranties and collateral are required. RLF CARES Act Program is NOT a grant or forgivable loan.
Small Business Revolving Loan Program
For businesses looking to expand
The SFRPC knows that the best economic development plan for the region is to support entrepreneurs and their businesses so that they can create jobs and opportunity for South Florida’s residents. The Small Business Revolving Loan Program is designed to meet the needs of businesses that are not met by conventional lenders.
SFRPC offers loans between $25,000 and $500,000. You must complete the SFRPC-RLF application; provide a business plan, business and personal financial statements, tax returns, and appraisals for equipment, land and other business assets.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Farmers and ranchers whose operations have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and continue to face market disruptions and additional associated costs can seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
This is the program’s second phase. Applications are accepted until Friday, Dec. 11.
Stimulus Checks
You can also use the application to provide your direct deposit information as well as update your mailing address if you have moved since you last filed federal income taxes.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents who did not have to file federal income taxes in 2018 or 2019 can enter their direct deposit information to receive their stimulus check.
Short-Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
The Short-Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.
Employees & Employers: Find more information on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Short Time Compensation Program.
Employers: Apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim).
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.
Employer Notice: Each covered employer must post in a conspicuous place on its premises a notice of FFCRA requirements. Employer requirements fact sheet. The Department of Labor has issued a press release indicating that it intends to observe a 30-day period of non-enforcement for employers who engage in reasonable, good-faith efforts to comply with the FFCRA.
Job Application Assistance
Job seekers can receive free one-on-one interview coaching and résumé reviews from Adrienne Arsht Center Human Resources professionals. This is open to all industries and levels of experience.
Unemployment Benefits
Florida has eliminated the ‘work search’ requirement’ for unemployment benefits.
To apply for unemployment online click here.
Unemployment applications are available to print and mail.
Click here for English | Click here for Spanish
For more information, visit floridajobs.org.
Temporary Signage for Businesses in Sunny Isles Beach
The City of Sunny Isles Beach would like to provide temporary assistance to our business community and will allow installation of temporary flag banners along Collins Avenue. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, please follow the steps below:
- Email infopz@sibfl.net with the following information:
- Name, address, and type of business
- Contact information including name, phone and email of site manager/owner
- Hours of operation (days and hours)
- Picture or graphic of the proposed temporary flag banner (one per business)
- Dimensions of the proposed temporary flag banner (one per business)
- Temporary flag banner content
- Contact information (name, phone, email) of person in charge of installing and removing banner on a daily basis
- Prior to installing your temporary flag banner, you shall receive a notification of approval from infopz@sibfl.net with the specific location where to install your flag banner
- There will be NO fee to request a temporary flag banner, however, Code Compliance will assess $250 daily fines if guidelines are not followed
For questions and more information, please call 305.792.1740 or email infopz@sibfl.net.