What Lies Beneath the COVID-19 Financial Landscape?

A look at the current financial and legal issues created by the pandemic. The instability of the global financial markets has businesses in flux as they reassess their risk management approaches following the COVID-19 crisis. Join us Thursday, May 28 at 3 p.m. as we take a look at the state of the financial environment from an…

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LeeCARES PPE for Small Businesses Program Overview

Applications open May 26, 2020 Overview Lee County Government is investing $57.5 million in Human & Business Services to provide immediate assistance for individuals, families and businesses. Funds are available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act federal stimulus package. Lee County has identified $3 million in emergency support that is available…

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Collier County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) at work

The economic challenges of this COVID-19 pandemic era cannot be underestimated.  The unemployment figures for Florida, and the nation, say it all.  As we slowly, very slowly, return to some kind of normalcy, a new normalcy with social distancing and mask-wearing, the carnage of the effects of closing down the economy remain with us.  When…

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CareerSource Southwest Florida Reopens Centers

Fort Myers, Fla. (May 20, 2020) – The work search requirement waiver will expire on May 30, 2020; therefore, we are reopening our career centers effective June 1, 2020 preferably by appointment in order to assist our job seekers with job search requirements and other services. “Even though we have closed our career centers due…

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State approves Lee County’s amended minimum standards for vacation rentals

Fort Myers, FL, May 21, 2020 – The state today approved an amended version of Lee County’s minimum standards regarding out-of-state reservations. Pursuant to Executive Order 20-123 signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 15, and effective immediately, the following amended measures are required as minimum standards for vacation rentals throughout Lee County that are…

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HEROES Act Important, but Short Term Solution for Small Businesses

On the passage of the HEROES Act in the House today – Executive Director of the Main Street Alliance Amanda Ballantyne had this to say: “It was important for the House to pass the HEROES Act, which included immediate and necessary fixes to the Paycheck Protection Program, an expanded payroll subsidy program through the Employee Retention Tax…

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FULL PHASE 1 BEGINS MONDAY, MAY 18

At his noon news conference in Jacksonville today, Governor Ron DeSantis shared details on the next steps of Florida’s re-opening plans. Full Phase 1 becomes effective on Monday, May 18, 2020. Later in the day the Governor tweeted, “All 67 counties may now begin re-opening as we continue to implement our #SafeSmartStepbyStep Plan for Florida’s Recovery.” Full Phase 1 is…

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Great News! Need to Cover Up those Grays or get a Mani-Pedi?

Get Ready To Make Your Appointments  Governor DeSantis has announced the reopening of hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons effective Monday, May 11, 2020 utilizing gloves, masks, and book by appointment. The announcement was made via Twitter (see tweet below) and YouTube video. Governor DeSantis 2020 Executive Orders Today Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-120, regarding Palm Beach County…

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Coronavirus Social Media Communication Toolkit

The U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’s social media toolkit offers example posts and graphics for businesses responding to the coronavirus. Click here, you’ll find a sharable graphics based on the CDC’s latest guidance for businesses and employees as well as our small business guide. We encourage you to share these assets on social media, websites, and other channels, and…

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