Industry Update 3/24/2020
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While the community follows government and CDC guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19, we want you to know that the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau continues to keep our tourism industry partners at the forefront of our efforts. We are working diligently to provide you with the support that’s needed during this difficult time.
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First, some positive news: we are happy to join a coalition of national and regional eateries in backing a new campaign called the Great American Takeout which encourages consumers to order delivery or pickup today, March 24, to help the restaurant industry, which has been particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Participate by ordering take out or delivery from your favorite local restaurant or by promoting this initiative on your social media using #TheGreatAmericanTakeout.
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Secondly, we'd like to make sure you're aware of resources for our industry partners:
Florida Gulf Coast University’s (FGCU) Regional Economic Research Institute is conducting a two-part impact study of COVID-19 on Southwest Florida, and requests our help to complete this in the most effective and timely manner.
The first part of the study involves surveying Southwest Florida businesses on the effects of the virus on their business, using their responses to develop a benchmark, then tracking the benchmark over time.
To do this, they need to reach as many businesses as possible in our region. We’d like to ask that you please take a moment to complete this survey, in addition to sharing this link with other tourism industry partners: https://fgcucob.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO22khPeAChvcyx.
The survey period will run through Friday, March 27. FGCU will use the results to create a report establishing how the virus is affecting the Southwest Florida economy, which we will then share with you. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Additionally, they want to conduct monthly follow-up surveys to gauge how the baseline changes over time. The follow-up survey will contain fewer, recurring questions. It is anticipated the follow-up surveys will run in in the middle of April, May, June, and possibly July.
Aside from assessing the effects of the virus on our region over time, the survey will be an important part of our area's applications for state and federal relief efforts following this episode. Providing assessments like the survey results will help us be better prepared when these efforts get under way.
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The Florida Department of Health continues to host tri-weekly calls, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00–1:30 pm, designed to deliver the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 to private sector and tourism partners in Florida. All private sector and tourism partners are invited to participate in the call. There will be an opportunity for questions as time permits.
ESF-18 Private Sector Partner and Tourism Call hosted by the Florida Department of Health
Call-In Information
• Call-In Number: 888-585-9008
• Participant Code: 872-128-152
Standing Agenda
• Situation Updates from the Florida Department of Health
• Briefing from the Department of Economic Opportunity
• Updates from other State Agencies
• Questions from Partners
Intended Audience
This call is intended solely for the tourism and private sector partners in Florida. Other partners should relay any questions or concerns to their local county health department.
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Additionally, the Community Organizations Active in a Disaster has created a point of entry to assist Charlotte County residents with the economic hardships they may experience because of COVID-19.
All tourism industry partners and their employees, please note:
Funding is available for rent/mortgage, transportation, utilities, childcare, food, and other needs once an initial screening has been completed. Tourism partners and their employees are encouraged to visit coadfl.org to fill out a pre-screen application today, or call 2-1-1 (or 941-205-2161 for TTY, Englewood, and out-of-area cell phone callers) for information on available community resources.
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Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program March 17, 2020, to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period runs through May 8, 2020.
DEO is currently surveying businesses throughout the state of Florida who have been impacted by COVID-19. Businesses and non-profits can access the Business Damage Assessment survey at FloridaDisaster.BIZ. Select “COVID-19” from the drop-down menu on the survey page. Response to the Business Damage Assessment survey is not an application for assistance. Businesses interested in the bridge loan program must fill out a bridge loan application.
For more information on the program, visit floridadisasterloan.org. For questions regarding the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org. The phone line will be answered during regular business hours; all voice mails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.
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Visit our COVID-19 Tourism and Small Business Resources page for up-to-date links to partner-specific information and resources regarding COVID-19.
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Finally, as many of you may already be aware, at the direction of Governor DeSantis and to successfully uphold CDC guidance to maximize social distancing and avoid gatherings larger than 10 people, all Charlotte County public beaches, state parks, county pools, libraries and recreation centers have now closed and will remain closed until further notice.
In addition, all Charlotte County facilities will be closed to the public as of 5 pm, Mar. 24, 2020, until further notice. The closures include all county government buildings, parks, playgrounds, boat ramps, preserves and trails.
Sincerely,
Wendie Vestfall
Tourism Development Director |
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