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U.S. Small Business Administration

Some news you can use

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Prevent the spread
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.

Source: Florida Department of Health

Get lawn and garden advice
Working on the yard? Expert advice for lawn or garden issues is now just a click away thanks to new Virtual Plant Clinics with UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service. Meet online with a master gardener on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at bit.ly/pascoplantclinic. Master Gardeners can help with pest identification, weed control, spring growing tips and more.

Don’t cause plumbing headaches
If you’re using wipes to clean surfaces in your home and office, be sure not to flush them.

Flushing wipes, even those labeled as “flushable,” can create a costly plumbing mishap in your home later. Visit HCFLGov.net/DontFlush for more information.

Food pickup points
The YMCAs of the Tampa Bay are teaming up with community partners to feed families and fight food insecurity during these unprecedented times. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, YMCA of the Suncoast and YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg are working with Feeding Tampa Bay, local school districts and other organizations to help provide fresh food to families across Greater Tampa Bay.

FEEDING TAMPA BAY MOBILE PANTRY
Anyone can receive a free pre-packaged box of groceries in a drive-thru type model.
Mondays, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the James P. Gills Family YMCA, 8411 Photonics Drive, Trinity.

PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS
School buses deliver free bags of food, which include breakfast and lunch for five days for each student.
East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For additional food pickup locations and information, visit the Pasco County Schools website (Pasco.k12.fl.us) and the Hillsborough County Schools website (SDHC.k12.fl.us).

Top scams
Con artists are trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Better Business Bureau urges you to protect yourself from these common scams:

  • Phony cures and fake masks: The BBB Scam Tracker has received numerous reports of people receiving emails and messages claiming that, for a price, they can buy products the government is supposedly keeping secret – ways to prevent or cure coronavirus. Medical experts are working hard to find a coronavirus vaccine, but none currently exists.
  • Economic impact payment (Stimulus Check) scams
    As soon as stimulus packages were announced and approved, scammers quickly got to work sending out fake economic impact checks and asking consumers to pay fees to get their money earlier than what the IRS has promised. These claims are false and open consumers to the risk of identity theft and outright theft of the funds in their bank account.
  • Phishing Scams
    As more people work from home, con artists have stepped up phishing scams. They may claim to be from an official department of the employer to offer IT support or claim the company issued computer has a virus. They may use scare tactics, stating the computer will crash if you don’t act immediately, all in an attempt to gain access to your computer remotely, or to your personal or company’s information.
  • Government Impersonation
    Another common phishing scam brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is fake emails and text messages claiming the government needs you to take an “online coronavirus test” by clicking a link they provide. No such test currently exists, but if you click on the link, scammers can download malware onto your computer and gain access to your sensitive personal information.
  • Employment Scams
    Many people are looking for work online in the wake of coronavirus shutdowns. Fraudsters find ways to take advantage of this by posting phony work-from-home jobs promising remote work with good pay and no interview required. These cons often use real company names and can be convincing.

After you are “hired,” the company may charge you upfront for “training.” You may need to provide your personal and banking information to run a credit check or set up direct deposit. You may be “accidentally” overpaid with a fake check, and asked to deposit the check and wire back the difference. Or, you are asked to buy expensive equipment and supplies to work at home.

  • Shortage Scams (price gouging)
    Supplies such as hand sanitizer, face masks and toilet paper are selling out in stores across the U.S. and Canada. Scammers take advantage of this situation and stockpile items in high demand. Then, they seek out potential clients, online and in person, and sell the products at extremely high prices. Price gouging is illegal and high demands for products can lead to con artists selling products that are used, defective or otherwise mishandled. In some cases, scammers will con people out of their money by accepting payments for products that don’t exist.

This has been an issue with face masks. Masks are sold out in most local stores and major online sellers. Instead, consumers are turning to unfamiliar online shops. Unfortunately, phony sellers abound. These scam online retailers take shoppers’ money – as well as personal information – and never deliver the masks.

Prevent mosquitoes
As people spend more time at home and outdoors, during the pandemic, these tips from Hillsborough County’s Management Services, may be useful. Following them can help reduce the population of mosquitoes on a property, and reduce the potential for being bit. Here are the pointers:

  • Empty water containers at least once per week
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
  • Properly apply an approved repellent, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or any other EPA-registered repellent

For more information about mosquito protection and breeding prevention, visit HCFLGov.net/Mosquito.

These websites offer a wealth of information:
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com
North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce: NorthTampaBayChamber.com
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org
Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce: DadeCityChamber.org
Hillsborough County government: HillsboroughCounty.org
Pasco County government: PascoCountyFl.net
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC.gov
Florida Department of Health: FloridaHealthCovid19.gov
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity: FloridaJobs.org
U.S. Small Business Administration: SBA.gov
Pasco County Schools: Pasco.k12.fl.us
Hillsborough County Schools: SDHC.k12.fl.us

Published April 15, 2020

There are resources available, in the wake of the pandemic

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As businesses and individuals cope with sudden losses causes by impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), various agencies and organizations are stepping up to provide information about resources that can help.

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has compiled a list of useful resources for the business community.

There also is useful information on websites maintained by Pasco and Hillsborough counties, and the Pasco and Hillsborough public school systems.

The local chambers of commerce also are offering information that may prove useful.

Here is a look at some of the resources available, as reported by the Pasco EDC:

  • The Business Damage Assessment survey assesses 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.
  • The 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. The SBDC Tampa Bay can assist companies through the process.
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit 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.

Helpful websites:
Chamber websites
PascoEDC.com
NorthTampaBayChamber.com
HillsboroughCounty.org
PascoCountyFL.net
CDC.gov
FloridaHealthCovid19.gov
FloridaJobs.org
SBA.gov
Pasco.k12.fl.us
SDHC.K12.fl.us

Published April 1, 2020

If a hurricane hits, what would your business do?

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Residents aren’t the only ones who need to how to respond if water rises, high winds hit or other damage results from tropical storms, hurricanes or other emergencies.

Businesses also need a plan that will help them weather the storm, and resume their enterprise as quickly as possible.

Brian Ellis, an expert with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, offered some practical advice on how to deal with a disaster, during a recent Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon. (B.C. Manion)

Brian Ellis, disaster recovery coordinator for the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, recently shared his expertise on the topic at a Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, in Land O’ Lakes.

Planning ahead is essential, Ellis said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) estimates that nearly 40 percent of small businesses that closed after a disaster never reopened because they lacked a Business Continuity Plan and were unprepared to recover, Ellis told those gathered.

Additionally, he said that nearly one in four businesses can expect to experience a disruptive disaster, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To be resilient in the face of such threats, businesses need to prepare, respond and recover, he said.

Preparations should include:

  • An emergency communication plan, which includes: A staff text message/email; a method for reaching employees after hours; and, a single point of contact. Be sure to monitor the news, too, he said.

“Bad information is not what you want,” Ellis said.

  • When faced with a disaster: Be sure you have an evacuation plan, with escape routes. Establish a safe place — which may be at your home or in another location — for you to resume your business as quickly as possible. Can you operate in your parking lot?

Keep your customers informed, he said. “Put some information on Facebook. A sign on the door (of your business) can go a long way.”

Be sure your employees know their roles. “Does your staff know how to react when you’re not there?” Ellis asked.

  • Build resilience in your supply chain. If you need specific products or services to conduct your business, be sure you have secondary suppliers, in case your supplier runs out. Establish service level agreements with your suppliers so you will know what level of service you can expect, if problems arise.
  • Build alliances with others in a similar business. Establish a buddy system: You help them if they’re hit with a disaster; they help you if you’re hit with a disaster. You can lend each other staff; exchange reliable supplier information; and, share inventory.

Responding to a crisis:

  • Account for all employees after the disaster.
  • Gather accurate information after the storm, with boots on the ground.
  • Conduct a full evaluation of infrastructure and take safety measures.
  • Coordinate next steps to get the doors open.
  • Communicate with all parties involved.

Filing an insurance claim:

  • Immediately contact your insurance company.
  • Make sure your insurance company knows your temporary address and contact information.
  • Take photographs of damaged assets.
  • Leave damaged property where it is, until the adjuster has made an official report. Accompany the adjuster to point out damage during the inspection.
  • Make only repairs necessary to prevent further damage. Be aware that unauthorized repairs might not be covered.
  • Be careful in choosing contractors to make repairs. Hire only licensed contractors, who secure the appropriate building permits. (The Better Business Bureau warns you should be wary when hiring contractors after a disaster. Watch out for red flags, such as upfront cash-only payment options; contractors offering to use materials left over from another job – a common tactic of fly-by-night operators; high-pressure sales tactics; and missing contact information.)
  • If the settlement offered by the insurance company seems unfair, contact the Florida Department of Insurance Regulation by visiting FLOIR.com.

Identify lessons learned:

  • How did we improve communications?
  • Were we satisfied with the way technology was backed up and stored?
  • Did staff fully understand their roles during and after the disaster?
  • Were there delays in reopening? If so, why?
  • Are changes needed in our insurance policy?

Ellis also quoted former President John F. Kennedy, who observed, “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining,” and famous inventor Benjamin Franklin, who said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Published June 05, 2019

UPDATED: Getting help and helping others

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Hurricane Irma is causing some people to turn to others for help, and offering others an opportunity to be of service.

Here are some places to turn for help, or to get involved.

Hurricane Irma blew down lots of trees around Pasco County, including this one, across an East Pasco road. (Richard Riley)

Free well water testing kits
The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is offering free, private well water testing kits for owners whose wells flooded due to Hurricane Irma. The water sampling test kits are available Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the extension office, 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City. Only 60 kits are available, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The extension office will collect the water samples on Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon. Kits received after that date will not be accepted for testing.

 

Temporary roof replacement
If your roof was damaged by Hurricane Irma, you may be eligible for free temporary roof repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Blue Roof can install a temporary roof covering. For more information, call 1-888-Roof-Blu (That’s 1-888-766-3258.)

Need to file an insurance claim?

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the state’s Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier offer these tips to help consumers:

  • Have all of your insurance policies handy.
  • Document damage. Take photos or shoot video before making any temporary repairs.

A free smartphone app developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners called “MyHome Scr.APP.book” can help you take and store a room-by-room log of photos.

  • Contact your insurance company or agency as soon as possible to report damages.
  • Cover damaged areas that may be exposed to the elements to prevent further damage.

Your insurance company may reimburse the expense of these temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Remove water-logged and otherwise damaged items from your house to prevent the spread of mold, but document them and do not dispose of any damaged property until your insurance company adjuster has had an opportunity to survey it.

The Office of Insurance Regulation also has additional storm-related materials at www.floir.com/Office/HurricaneSeason/hurricaneresourcepage.aspx.

Trees did not fare well in front of a home near downtown Dade City. (Stefanie Burlingame)

Avoiding rip-offs

  • If you’re having work done, research a company or contractor, ask for references and get multiple quotes before signing a contract. Be sure the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • Beware of any unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job.
  • Never pay the full amount up front, and do not make final payment until completely satisfied with the work performed.
    • If you suspect someone of price gouging, call (866) 9NO-SCAM.
  • Keep in mind that federal, state, and county government employees will have identification badges and will not approach you in your home for cash payments or banking information. There is no fee to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the State of Florida.

Emergency bridge loans available
Small business owners with two to 100 employees, in any of Florida’s 67 counties affected by Hurricane Irma, can apply for short-term loans up to $25,000. These interest-free loans are granted in terms of 90 or 180 days. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Sept. 4, 2017, and must demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. For information, visit FloridaDisaster.org.

For more information, call the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at (850) 898-3489.

Hurricane Irma left her mark on Saint Leo University, knocking over trees on campus and causing water intrusion in dozens of rooms. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Individual and household assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that Pasco County is eligible for the Individuals and Household Assistance Program, which provides financial help or direct services for eligible residents.

Available help includes:

  • Housing assistance for renters or homeowners for temporary housing, home repairs and either semi-permanent or permanent housing construction services
  • Other needs assistance, including uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses; serious needs, such as medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, repair, cleaning or replacement of personal items; and, other eligible expenses
  • Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Debris removal
Pasco County Utilities, Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department, was scheduled to begin removing debris this week.

  • In preparation for the removal, Pasco County homeowners must have all debris materials brought to the curb or roadside for pickup. Residents should be aware and be careful not to block fire hydrants, mailboxes, electrical boxes or any other structures. Contractor generated debris will not be picked up.

Do not bag debris. Refrigerators should be empty, with the doors secured or removed.

Requests for debris pickup must be submitted to Pasco County Customer Service Center by emailing , providing the address where the debris is located. Residents can also call customer service at (727) 847-2411.

Debris must be separated into the following categories:

Furniture: Mattresses; couches, sofas, chairs; dressers; lumber, if not pressure treated; particle board; laminated flooring; dry insulation (if wet, pile with construction); carpet and padding

Construction: Drywall, plasterboard, ceramic tile, concrete, lumber (pressure treated), wet insulation

Vegetation: Tree cuttings (must be no more than 5 feet in length, and all branches must be bundled)

White Goods: Appliances, metal furniture, metal shelving, bicycles, items that are more than 75 percent metal

Hazardous Waste – Delayed Pick-Up: Any household chemicals; oil, gas, flammables; lawn and garden chemicals; televisions; computer monitors computer towers (CPUs)

Pasco needs volunteers for disaster assessment
Pasco County needs volunteers who are able to help with disaster assessment in the field.

If faith-based, charitable, or other organizations or civic minded individuals are available and have successfully passed recent background checks, please email your contact information to , or call the Volunteer Hotline at (727) 847-8940.

Other volunteer opportunities may become available. Additional information will be posted at PascoCountyFl.net.

Help record Hurricane Irma’s damage
Pasco County encourages residents and business owners who have been affected by the recent storm to report damages to their homes, properties and businesses by opening the MyPasco App and clicking the Report Irma Damage icon, or by completing a Damage Assessment Survey located online at PascoCountyFl.net. 

Securing accurate information will help the State of Florida and the Federal Office of Emergency Management to determine if the county has enough damages to seek a federal declaration for our residents to receive financial assistance to make necessary repairs to their properties.

SBA looking to boost women-run businesses

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The U.S. Small Business Administration and the National Women’s Business Council have joined forces in an effort to increase the flow of money by and into small businesses run by women.

The overriding goal, according to a release, is to encourage greater participation by women on the financial and investing side of high-growth entrepreneurship.

“Developing a deeper pool of women investors and financiers is key toward expanding the marketplace of women-owned businesses,” said SBA administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, in a release. “These roundtables, which will continue through 2015, are the first big steps we need to take together to make it possible for more women to invest in each other’s companies, while exponentially increasing the growth potential of these businesses.”

Both groups will hold a series of roundtable discussions around the country to develop policy recommendations. Over the past year, woman-owned businesses were approved for 341 loans totaling more than $163 million, according to Francisco Marrero of SBA’s South Florida district. That’s up over the previous year where 317 loans were approved for $133.8 million.

“While this is a good sign, we will try to do more to increase the flow of capital and resources to woman-owned businesses,” Marrero said, in a release. “This initiative is another example of SBA’s desire to help start and grow small business.”

During the next few months, the working groups of 20 will meet with investor and fund managers to discuss ways to increase the ranks of women investors, while developing strategies to encourage investment in companies run by women. The series will culminate with the unveiling of policy recommendations at an investor network meeting next May.

The National Women’s Business Council is a non-partisan federal advisory council serving as an independent source of advice and counsel to various national organizations and government agencies. For information on the group, visit NWBC.gov.

For more information about the Small Business Investment Companies initiative, visit SBA.gov/INV.

SBA offering fee relief on certain loans

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The U.S. Small Business Administration is extending fee relief on 7(a) loans into next year of $150,000 or less that was implemented last year, and originally slated to expire last month. SBA Veterans Advantage will be renewed and enhanced as well.

“We don’t want SBA fees to be an impediment to getting capital out to communities where it can make a game-changing difference, especially to our underserved communities, who use these small-dollar loans more frequently,” said SBA administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, in a release. “We also owe a debt of gratitude and so much more to our servicemen and women, and veterans who are the cornerstone of small business ownership.”

The SBA has guaranteed more than 28,800 loans for more than $1.74 billions, each less than $150,000. That was up from 23,200 loans and $1.34 billion the year before.

Fee reductions on these loans resulted in nearly $19 million in savings to small business borrowers last year.

More than 70 percent of all SBA loans made to veterans are less than $350,000. Through Sept. 20, the SBA guaranteed 153 loans for $38.9 million under Veterans Advantage. Fee relief of those loans resulted in savings to borrowers of about $571,000.

For more information, visit SBA.gov.

Small Business Week comes to area

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The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is spotlighting small business, small business ownership and entrepreneurship during National Small Business Week, which begins Monday.

The chamber encourages everyone during that week to shop or purchase services from a local business.

“It is small businesses that are the biggest job creators locally, that contribute to local causes, and that have a vested interest in seeing our community prosper,” chamber executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen said in a release. “So the question becomes, why would we not support them by giving them our business?”

Since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration has taken the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through its National Small Business Week. This year, events will take place across the country to engage the small business community, and highlight their importance as innovators and job creators who strengthen the nation’s economy.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the week like it celebrates so many others, and that’s by introducing new businesses to the community. It will do just that on May 15 with a ribbon-cutting at Pure Health & Fitness Studios, 2206 Knight Road in Land O’ Lakes.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has its own ribbon-cutting planned on May 12 at Continucare, 21507 Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes. It will finish the week with its 28th annual golf tournament May 16 at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Back in Zephyrhills, new mayor Gene Whitfield will present a proclamation at Monday’s city council meeting recognizing the contributions of small businesses in the community. The Zephyrhills chamber has then partnered up with the University of South Florida’s Small Business Development Center to offer free consultations by appointment in the chamber’s office, 38550 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

For information the Zephyrhills chamber, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org. For the Wesley Chapel chamber, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com. For the Central Pasco chamber, visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Army, Air Force vets have chance for ‘American Dream’

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Military veterans with dreams of owning their own business have a chance to compete for startup money that could help them do just that.

“Operation American Dream” is a contest from Signal 88 Security, encouraging those who have served the country through the U.S. Army or U.S. Air Force to submit a video by May 15 explaining why they want to own their own business.

The U.S. Small Business Administration says 1 in 10 small businesses are owned by veterans, and that 45 percent are more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed, Signal 88 said in a release.

Winning submissions will be decided through a public vote on Signal 88’s Facebook page on May 22. The contestant with the most votes will receive $5,000 to start their own business, or $10,000 if they choose to start a Signal 88 franchise.

Signal 88 was founded in 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska, with the “88” law enforcement code for “situation secure.” The company has franchises in more than 35 states in nearly 300 territories. It provides community-based security personnel to help protect property.

To enter, submit videos to Signal88.com/OperationAmericanDream.