News

FRLA Coronavirus Update – Paycheck Protection Program Update

04/22/2020

Late Tuesday, April 21, 2020, the Senate passed more than $480 billion in new funding for small business assistance, hospitals, and virus testing. After nearly two weeks of negotiations on an interim funding package, lawmakers agreed to an additional $320 billion for the depleted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The House is scheduled to vote on…

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Democrats call for better funding of bridge loans in Florida

04/21/2020

By Jacob Ogles, Editor Democrats in the Florida Legislature called for more funding to be put in the state’s Small Business Emergency Loan Program and for the federal government to better fund the Paycheck Protection Program created by the CARES Act. “I don’t think there was parity in how those bridge loans were distributed, and…

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Florida task force executive committee opens

04/21/2020

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the 22 members who will serve as the Executive Committee of the newly-created “Re-Open Florida Task Force.” The Governor gave introductory remarks at the first official teleconference meeting of the executive committee. The meeting’s agenda also included an overview of Florida’s economy given by Florida Chamber President & CEO Mark Wilson and Chamber Foundation Chief…

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Lee Health Joins Mayo Clinic Study

04/20/2020

Dr. Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA, President & CEO, is proud to share this exciting announcement: “We are excited to announce that Lee Health was accepted and registered as a participating site in Mayo Clinic’s COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Study. Starting Monday, April 20, patients who are admitted to Lee Health hospitals with proven SARS-COV-2 infection (the…

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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Announces Launch of Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program

04/20/2020

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced $75 million is now available to local governments through the Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program. The Rebuild Florida Critical Facility Hardening Program allows local governments and state agencies to increase the resilience of critical facilities that serve a public safety purpose for local…

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Save Small Business Fund now available

04/20/2020

The Coronavirus crisis has created a financial burden to small businesses everywhere, causing a ripple effect that impacts not just our economy, but our citizens. To help offset this financial strain for small businesses, a group of corporate and philanthropic partners have come together to create the “Save Small Business Fund”. The goal of this…

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State Announces Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program Closure, Availability of Federal Assistance

04/16/2020

Florida SBDC Network Headquarters (Pensacola, Fla.) – With the assistance of the Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the administrator of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program has received more than 38,000 applications since the program was first activated on March 17. As…

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Lee County launches Business Assistance Portal and Hotline in response to COVID-19

04/14/2020

Fort Myers, FL, April 2, 2020 – Lee County businesses seeking information about recovery assistance can access a newly launched Business Assistance Portal at www.leegov.com/covid-19/business or by calling the Business Assistance Hotline at 239-533-2273 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The Business Assistance Portal is an online tool meant to provide information to businesses and not-for-profit…

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Contribute to the COVID-19 Response: Manufacturing Survey

04/14/2020

The US and global economy are in uncharted waters at this time. Florida is no different. Functioning critical infrastructure is imperative during the response to the COVID-19 emergency for both public health, safety and community well-being. It will be even more important in the critical recovery effort to follow. In Florida, manufacturers are identified as…

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First COVID-19 economic impact survey results released

04/07/2020

Fort Myers, FL, April 7, 2020 – Small businesses are suffering the most due to COVID-19, according to an initial survey conducted to understand the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Southwest Florida. The COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey was designed to allow company executives to voice concerns about the impact of the pandemic on…

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