A weekly economic development briefing from the Volusia County Division Of Economic Development August 25, 2020 Online Version at FloridaBusiness.org
COVID-19 Business Resource Center: VolusiaBusinessResources.org
HOME-BASED BUSINESS GRANTS AVAILABLE – Qualifying home-based businesses that have up to 50 employees and are located in Volusia County may be eligible to receive a one-time grant of $1,500 to help them recover from negative financial consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and relaunch their Volusia County business. Review the complete list of grant criteria details and apply online.
SMALL BUSINESS REOPENING GRANT STILL AVAILABLE – Qualifying businesses with a physical, brick-and-mortar location in a commercial or industrial space in Volusia County may be eligible to receive a one-time Reopening Grant Program grant of $3,000 for businesses that have 25 employees or fewer or $5,000 for businesses that have between 26 and 50 employees. The grant is made available to help small businesses recover from negative financial consequences resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the grant program’s inception, more than 2,100 grants totaling $6.6 million have been approved. Funds are still available. Brick-and-mortar businesses should review the grant criteria and apply online.
PPE KITS AVAILABLE TO VOLUSIA COUNTY BUSINESSES – Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, on June 16 the Volusia County Council approved $1 million to purchase protective equipment (PPE) for local businesses to help ensure the safety of employees and customers. Distribution of PPE kits is being coordinated through the Volusia County Chamber Alliance and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following dates:
Aug. 25 (East Volusia) - Ocean Center, 1010 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
Aug. 26 (West Volusia) - DeLand Elks Lodge #1463, 614 S. Alabama Ave., DeLand
Aug. 27 (Southeast Volusia) - Marine Discovery Center, 520 Barracuda Blvd., New Smyrna Beach
PPE kits include masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning solution. Businesses must prove eligibility with a business card indicating they represent a Volusia County business, as well as sign that they received the product. Businesses may visit any site and receive one kit. LEARN HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH VOLUSIA COUNTY – Volusia County’s Purchasing and Contracts Division will hold two webinars for vendors wanting to learn how to do business with the county. The webinars will be presented on GoToWebinar from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26; and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug 27. County staff will demonstrate how to register as a vendor; explain how to submit bids, proposals and quotes; and discuss state and local ordinances relevant to working with the county. Staff will also explain the information channels available to vendors and answer questions. To participate in the Aug. 26 evening session, register via this link. To participate in the Aug. 27 morning session, register via this link. Registrants will receive a confirmation email explaining how to join the webinar. For more information, call 386-736-5935, ext. 12490.
DEO COUNTY & INDUSTRY DATA ON REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE CLAIMS – The latest COVID-19 related Reemployment Assistance claims data by county, released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, indicates 52,596 claims from Volusia County. The data reflects a stated labor force of 254,312 and an initial claim percentage of 20.7%. The data covers the period from the week ending March 7 to the week ending July 27. When organized by initial claimants by industry, the highest number of Volusia County claims were in Accommodation and Food Services (7,712). With the exception of the No Industry Given category (21,099), there were three industry groups with more than 3,000 claims: Admin. Support, Waste Mgmt., Remediation (4,210); Retail Trade (4,191); and Health Care and Social Assistance (3,331). Manufacturing claims amounted to 1,615. View the dashboard.
TWO ENTERPRISE FLORIDA GRANTS GO VIRTUAL – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Florida manufacturers, Enterprise Florida (EFI) has adapted its in-person Gold Key/Matchmaker Grant and Targeted Sector Trade Show Grant to virtual versions. Virtual Business Matchmaking (VBM) markets include Europe, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania. VBM will be offered in Asian markets soon. Additionally, many well-established trade shows are now virtual until in-person shows return. For details and grant qualification information, contact EFI International Trade Director Michael Cooney.
NATURAL DISASTERS AND COVID-19 RESPONSE WEBSITE – Planning and preparing for hurricanes and other natural disasters can be stressful, even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, the CDC provides an important resource website – Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19 – that includes helpful information on preparedness and recovery during the COVID-19 response and what residents can do to keep themselves safe. For local information, Volusia County residents and visitors are encouraged to follow Volusia County Emergency Management on Facebook and Twitter @VCEmergencyInfo, and download the county's emergency preparedness app. Storm and COVID-19 related information can be found on the Volusia County public information network.
NEWS ITEMS WANTED! – Please send your business news items to Joanne Magley. If you wish to be removed from this weekly broadcast, please let us know.
Phone: 386-248-8048 Fax: 386-238-4761
floridabusiness.org Volusia County Division of Economic Development