covid-19 information

COVID-19 and Businesses

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We understand that our local businesses will be affected as a result of COVID-19.   As such, we have compiled some helpful information below. 

To contact the City's Economic Development department, call 561-742-6023 or email durganj@bbfl.us.

For the latest information about COVID-19 in Florida, please visit the Florida Department of Health's COVID-19 web page.   For other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the state's 24-hour COVID-19 Call Center at (866) 779-6121 or COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's local businesses. 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. Results from this survey will be shared with state agencies and local partners. Click here to complete the Business Damage Assessment survey.

For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com.

The federal government signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will allocate $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Within the bill is the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. For more information on the program’s guidelines, eligibility requirements, how to access funding, and FAQs please click the links below. 

Qualified Applicants 
Applications will be accepted by qualified for-profit, privately held small businesses that maintain a place of business in the state of Florida. All qualified applicants must have been established prior to March 9, 2020 and suffered economic injury as a result of the designated disaster. Qualified small business applicants must be an employer business with 2 to 100 employees.

Application Period
Applications will be accepted by qualified Florida small businesses under this program through May 8, 2020, contingent on the availability of funds.
Click here for more information
 

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Florida small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.  

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The application period runs through December 18, 2020. The application is available online. 

The Small Business Development Center at FAU is happy to assist.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, FortWorth, TX 76155.