Good morning,
Your Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce remains available 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week to serve its business members and the Charlotte County community. In addition to the weekly
Business Online
e-newsletter, the new daily email
UPDATES:
will continue as needed. This is to provide pertinent business information and resources via concise communication in a timely manner. Watch your inbox for the
UPDATES:,
follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/charlottecountychamber/
and forward/share with your colleagues.
Teri Ashley
Executive Director
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Important Updates
FGCU’s Regional Economic Research Institute has been asked to conduct a two-part impact study of the coronavirus on Southwest Florida and they need our help.
PLEASE follow this link and complete the survey as quickly as possible:
The results will be used to create a report establishing how the virus is affecting the Southwest Florida economy. Follow-up surveys with fewer, recurring questions will be conducted on a monthly basis to gauge changes over time. Besides allowing assessment of the effects of the virus on our region over time,
the survey will be an important part of applications from our area for state and federal relief efforts following this episode
. Providing assessments such as the survey results will allow us to be better prepared when these efforts get under way.
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Keeping Workers Paid and Employed Act
To: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
From: Office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2020
We are working on passing the legislation as quickly as possible. We do not have a specific time frame, as this situation is very fluid, but we are hoping to pass it this weekend or early next week. Once it is passed and signed into law, however, business should be able to apply right away. I wish I had more information at this time, but will keep you posted on any passings/signings.
To: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
From: Florida Chamber of Commerce
Date:
Sunday, March 22, 2020
There’s tremendous national interest in Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s
Keeping Workers Paid and Employed Act
to help prevent businesses from going under and workers from losing their jobs. You can see
here
just how many businesses in your county could likely qualify. (We’re pushing for the ceiling to be more than 500 employees, so we’ll update this if the legislation changes to include them.) Know that this is a Florida Chamber top priority and I spoke directly to Senator Rubio to offer the Chamber’s input.
There is no deal as of 7 a.m., Monday, March 23. Updates will be issued.
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The
Community Organizations Active in a Disaster (COAD)
is a local point of entry to assist residents with economic hardships due to COVID-19 and its effects on our daily lives.
Funding will be available for rent/mortgage, transportation, utilities, childcare, food, and other needs once and initial screening has been completed.
https://coadfl.org/
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Chamber Updates
- Both chamber offices remain open at this time but without public access. If you need information or would like to schedule an appointment, please call the Port Charlotte office at 941-627-2222 or the Punta Gorda office at 941-639-2222.
- The list of chamber member businesses offering online ordering, delivery and/or pick-up services continues to be regularly updated and shared. To be added to the list, please contact [email protected].
- The complimentary Business Information Membership (BIM) is being offered to all Charlotte County businesses. This membership provides important business information and resources to assist with the unification and stability of the entire Charlotte County business community. Businesses are encouraged to contact [email protected] with their name, business name, and email addresses to receive a BIM.
- The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce will host a blood drive on Monday, April 13th, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., outside of the Port Charlotte office, 2702 Tamiami Trail. The required safety precautions will be in place. All donors will receive a $20 e-gift card! Donors will have a choice of 18 different merchants to redeem the e-gift card including Walmart. This can help with groceries or other essentials.
Resources
FloridaDisasterLoan.org
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan
For appointment, call Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce at 941-627-2222
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
www.sba.gov/disaster
Small Business Administration
https://frla.org/covid-19/
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
Florida Retail Federation
http://www.floridajobs.org
Reemployment Assistance
Center for Disease Control
Florida Department of Health
https://fdoh.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/8d0de33f260d444c852a615dc7837c86
Florida Data and Surveillance Dashboard
County Department of Health
www.irs.gov
Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Visit Florida
Governor's Office
www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Florida Chamber of Commerce- Follow the Facts not Fear
City of Punta Gorda
Charlotte County Administration
Charlotte County Public Schools
https://grow.google/remotework/
Grow With Google
~~~ Monday, March 23, 2020 ~~~
Sustaining Partners:
For your business to also enjoy the
Sustaining Partner
benefits, please contact Teri Ashley at 941-639-2222 or
[email protected]
for information.