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
