In an effort to keep our members connected during this time of social distancing and many business closures, the Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber of Commerce has created new closed Facebook Groups. We want to help our members connect with similar industry businesses, and we hope this will allow them a venue to share tips and ideas, discuss what they have going on at this difficult time, and help each other through processes like applying for loans or working remotely. Our plan is to occasionally offer virtual presentations designed specifically for each group, and we hope that these groups will continue as a useful tool even once this situation has passed.
Chamber members can join these Facebook groups with their personal page or their organization's page, or both. More than one representative from a business or organization are welcome. Just click the appropriate link below and it will take you to the corresponding group. Click “join” and you will be asked a series of three questions. We ask that you please answer these questions and agree to a few rules. Group members must be members in good standing of the Chamber and we ask that you join a group that is relevant to your industry. Sales pitches, solicitation, and spamming will not be allowed.
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Small Business
This group is for small business owners and operators.
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Restaurants
This groups is for our restaurant owners, operators, and employees...from mom & pops to chain establishments, come join us!
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Non-Profits
This group is for our non-profits. Members of our non-profit coalition can keep in touch and share insights between meetings.
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Accommodations
This group is geared toward those in the hotel/motel, vacation home, timeshare industry.
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Attractions
This group is for our attractions members...from museums to the mouse.
Find ways to support Osceola nonprofits & frontline workers with donations & community resources.Are you looking for a way to give back or support those on the front lines during these challenging times? Or perhaps you need direction on how to continue to support our amazing non-profits as they continue to serve our most vulnerable populations? We have compiled a list of non-profits and other organizations that are looking for particular types of aid, as well as other suggestions on ways you can give back.
Purchase Gift Cards for Local Businesses and Restaurants
Visit your favorite local, independently owned establishments (or, if possible, go online) and purchase a gift card directly from the business. This will help their bottom line in the short term and give you a fun evening out or exciting purchase to look forward to at a later date!
Orlando Health Homemade Mask Donations
Orlando Health is closely monitoring and managing supply levels .To diversify resources, and to allow a more comfortable mask option for non-clinical situations, they are now accepting homemade masks. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not consider the homemade masks a substitute for surgical masks or N-95 respirators, cloth masks may slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in people who may not yet know they have COVID-19. Donation specifics can be found here.
AdventHealth Give Back Resources
Help doctors, nurses, and others on the front lines with some suggestions form our friends
at AdventHealth here: AdventHealth COVID-19 Donation Hubs
Community Hope Center
The Community Hope Center is looking for donations on their website, and donations of the of the following items can be made via Amazon Smile:
Education Foundation of Osceola County
The Education Foundation has started an online COVID-19 Giving Campaign to help raise funds for laptops, school supplies, hygiene, food and clothing. Donate here.
Osceola County Council on Aging
The Osceola Council on Aging has need for donations for their food pantry.
Help Now of Osceola County
Help Now of Osceola, Inc. will remain open and ready to assist during the coronavirus period of isolation. Their crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day at 407-847-8562.
Kissimmee/Osceola County Chamber Livestream on Community Resources and Assistance During COVID-19
On April 8, Reverend Mary Downey with the Community Hope Center joined us for our Wednesday livestream. She spoke about federal and community resources and assistance, but also gave an update on the work of local nonprofits such as hers as they aid the most vulnerable populations during this tricky time, and work to meet a growing need resulting from economic turmoil. You can view that livestream on our Facebook, YouTube, or right here:
The Kissimmee Chamber says "Thank You"
Our Chamber Area Council Boards of Directors have been saying "thank you" to all of our frontline responders, workers, deliverers, and teachers. We will roll out these videos on our Facebook page, and they will also be available on our YouTube Channel. If you are doing something to shine a light on god in our community, or just to say thanks, let us know about it!
Read part 1 of this series here.
So, you may have recently followed me in my saga of deciding which CARES Act stimulus program was right for my small business, Christina’s Magical Unicorn Sales. Like many of you, however, I took the opportunity to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Opened by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 17, the Florida Small Business Bridge Loan Program was one of the first disaster-related loans for small businesses available in the wake of COVID-19. The window to apply for this loan closed April 14, and, as I’m sure many of you are, I am wondering when I will see benefit.
Unlike the funds offered as a result of the CARES Act, the Florida Small Business Emergency Bride Loan Program is NOT an SBA loan. Rather, it is run through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. I know that this loan was not intended to be a primary source of assistance during a disaster like COVID-19, but it might help bridge the gap (….hey, I see what they did there…) while I wait for further assistance or recovery.
Since I do maintain a physical storefront here in Florida that opened before March 9, 2020, employ between 2 and 500 people (5 actually, since I decided to keep Gaston on….but he is being closely monitored), do not currently owe any money on previous state emergency bridge loans, have been injured economically by the current situation, and own at least 51% of the equity in my business (I own my office, but rent my stables) I should easily qualify. Thankfully, I have kept excellent records and it was easy for me to fill out the application and attach my Business Tax Returns, Employer Tax Documentation, Individual Tax Returns, and government issued ID. I feel I should be in good shape.
But, jeez, I’m impatient. I want to know the status of my loan NOW. I called my good buddy Rafael Pratts at the Florida Small Business Development Center at UCF (he’s a real person, please contact him if you have questions about your bridge loan application), to see where I stand. Apparently, the state received a high volume of applications for this loan and they are in the process of reviewing applications.
Rafael gave me some good advice. Since I submitted my application online, I can visit www.floridajobs.org to check the status of my loan application. So, now I spend my time between episodes of Tiger King alternately checking my loan status and checking my bank account for that stimulus check we’re all supposed to receive (okay, and watching the occasional entertaining YouTube video…I’m only human…).
My business acquaintance Adolfo also applied for a Bridge Loan. Since he was assisted by Rafael and mailed in his application and attachments directly to the DEO, he decided he would be better off checking on his application status by calling their toll-free number (833-832-4494), or alternately emailing them at FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.
While we wait to learn the status of our loan applications, it is reassuring to know that 1,000 businesses throughout Florida have already been approved for a total of $49 million. Rafael assured me that the DEO will continue to approve loans until available funds are expended.
Rafael also advised Adolfo and me that there are a number of other loans for small businesses available through the SBA that are worth looking into. We advised him that we have been there, done that regarding the Paycheck Protection Program and EIDL Loans that were a product of the CARES Act. He said that there are other state and federal loan options available, such as the state’s Florida Small Business Loan Program and Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund, and suggested we visit FloridaSBDC.org to learn more about some of those and how the SBDC can assist us. A comprehensive overview of state and federal resources for small businesses affected by COVID-19 is available at Floridajobs.org/COVID-19 as well.
One item that piqued my interest was the SBA Debt Relief program, which was also part of the CARES Act. This program will provide a reprieve to small businesses that already have outstanding loans. For example, my feed supplier SparkleHay™, which had a rough year last year due to new tariffs imposed on trade between fantastical realms, was moved to take out a 7(a) loan last July through the SBA. The SBA Debt Relief Program will pay the principal and interest on their current loan for a period of six months. This is great news for them because their current loan may make it difficult to apply for new ones, but this will help aid them from slipping into debt from repaying a loan they are now not as equipped to repay due to a drop in business brought on by COVID-19.
The SBDC will be receiving additional funding as well to design new training and consulting services as they work to aid small businesses around Florida in their recovery efforts. I will make sure I get on Rafael’s mailing list so I will be alerted when any relevant (free!) classes or consultations are offered. I know that Adolfo, the folks at SparkleHay™, Judy my handyman, the do-gooders at Save the Unicorns! Inc., and I are all ready to get back to businesses and optimistic that this confusing time of economic strain won’t last. And when it’s safe, and you’re ready to get back out and about and looking for a way to stimulate our economy, I plan to be there for all of your Magical Unicorn needs.
