Florida Chamber COVID-19 Membership Update: March 16, 2020

March 16, 2020

A Message from the Florida Chamber: COVID-19 Update

Like businesses across Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is committed to the safety and health of Florida employers and the millions of people that work for them. Our goal is to meet this challenge head-on by sharing key information and best practices, while providing employers with useful resources.

We’re in constant contact with the Governor’s office, and we’re receiving hundreds of calls letting us know what you need. If you have a question or need additional information, please contact Greg Blose who is leading our COVID-19 efforts at gblose@flchamber.com.

Last week we launched the Florida Chamber’s COVID-19 Resource Center, and with more than 70 percent of Florida Chamber members requesting more information from us, today we’ve launched a daily newsletter providing the latest resources.

Please share this message with other business leaders, and encourage them to sign-up to receive their personal copy. Please take two minutes to let us know how COVID-19 is impacting your business.

My Best,

Mark Wilson

President & CEO

TODAY:

Sen. Rick Scott & SBA to Host Call with Florida Business Leaders

Monday March 16, 2020 at 4:00 p.m.

Number: 425-436-6368

Access Code: 632713

TODAY:

U.S. Chamber to Host White House Coronavirus Update Call

Monday March 16, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

Please click here to register for the call.

COVID-19: Number of Cases in Florida

Source: Florida Department of Health (as of 6:10 p.m. on 3/15/20)

COVID-19 Updates

Small Business Loan

Program Requested

Governor Ron DeSantis on Sunday evening said he sent a letter to the federal government requesting they turn on the loan program for small businesses. “A lot of small businesses are being impacted,” Gov. DeSantis said. The Florida Chamber will report out additional information as quickly as we get it.

Drive Through Testing

Being Established

Also on Sunday, Gov. DeSantis reported that additional test kits have been distributed across Florida, and drive-through testing locations would begin setting up today.

Federal Reserve Slashes Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve on Sunday slashed interest rates to zero percent and announced it would purchase $700 billion in bonds and securities to stabilize financial markets and support the economy. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fed’s monetary policymaking panel, announced Sunday it would cut its baseline interest rate range to 0 to 0.25 percent, drastically increase purchases of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities, and take several other steps to allow banks, businesses, and households weather a sharp economic downturn. Read more here.

Border Closures

Florida Chamber of Commerce www.FloridaChamber.com/Coronavirus