IMPORTANT MEMBER UPDATE
March 27, 2020
As a service to our members, Florida ARVC is passing along the following information:
Federal and State COVID-19 Relie f
Loans and Loan Forgiveness Under CARES Act:
Late Wednesday night, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved HB 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES). CARES Act contains up to $350 Billion in relief for small businesses via loans and loan forgiveness. Learn more ...
 
Federal Tax Benefits Under CARES Act:
CARES Act provides tax relief to all Americans. It contains provisions to help workers, employers and certain industries suffering as a result of the economic hardship that has resulted from the pandemic.  Learn more ...
 
Florida Provides Sales & Use Tax and Property Tax Relief:
The Department of Revenue Executive Director Jim Zingale has issued two emergency orders related to sales & use tax and property taxes. Learn more ...
 
1. Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans 
(Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)
 
Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program 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. Non-profits are not eligible to apply for this program.
 
The DEO will administer the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Up to $50 million has been allocated for the program.
 
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program information is available here .
 
 
2. Economic Injury Disaster Loans 
(US Small Business Administration)
 
Congress has passed, and the President has signed an aid package ( Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act ) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
A component of this package will be low interest loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration to businesses impacted by the virus. An Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
 
To begin, a county needs to be approved by the SBA for an Economic Loss Declaration, through a request submitted by the governor.
 
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's local business operations. 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.
 
For inquiries or assistance with the survey, businesses can contact Emergency Support Function 18 at [email protected]
 
For additional information on SBA programs, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail  [email protected]