Impact Update for Thursday, September 30 |
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Each week, we will distribute our Impact Update newsletter on Thursdays. We encourage you to share this information with friends, families, and business owners who may be able to take advantage of the resources, programming options, local highlights and industry news below.
Jason Siegel
President & CEO
Greater Orlando Sports Commission
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“Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.”
- Maya Angelou
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Orange County Mayor Demings, Orlando Mayor Dyer and Dr. Pino from the Dept. of Health in Orange County along with partners from the Orlando Economic Partnership, Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando launched a public safety initiative to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This is a county-wide initiative to debunk myths, highlight trusted voices and drive home the true benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more at ocfl.net/IGotMyShot. #IGotMyShot
Local Resources.
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Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
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City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Lake County: Homepage
- City of Orlando:
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The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
- Orange County:
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Mayor Demings lifts the mask mandate for Orange county.
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The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
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Orange County Health Services continues to administer free drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations at Camping World Stadium. Both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are available at the site — first and second dose only, seven days a week from 9am-5pm or until capacity is reached. Third-dose booster shots are not available at this time. Camping World Stadium also provides Monoclonal Antibody therapy treatments.
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Following the most recent announcement regarding federal eviction moratoriums, Orange County residents are urged to apply for the County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program if they are behind in rent payments due to the pandemic. The program may be able to help eligible residents pay 12 months of past due rent and 1 month of future rent, up to a total of $20,000. For more information and to confirm eligibility, click here.
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CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
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The Orange County Library System offers Right Service at the Right Time, a free online tool and public resource that is particularly useful to those who have had their income affected by COVID-19. The service provides a platform to easily find information on government-assistance and community-support programs.
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Osceola County:
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Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
- Lake County:
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Lake County residents can reach out to the Lake County Department of Housing and Human Services for information on SHIP rental assistance. Click here for more information.
- Seminole County:
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If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
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Covering Central Florida offers health coverage and a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who have been laid off related to COVID-19.
- Additional Resources:
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The CDC has issued updated COVID-19 guidance, freeing fully-vaccinated Americans to gather indoors in small groups without masks or social distancing, even with unvaccinated people.
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The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.
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Orlando Health has a website specifically designed for the business community. The site features tips and best practices from medical experts, including facts about COVID-19.
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AdventHealth CentraCare's Employer Resources hub provides a vast number of resources to assist businesses. Their team of physicians and clinical experts can assist with business re-opening through consultation, comprehensive safety plan development and key services.
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OUC has a Small Business Assistance Fund which provides up to $2,500 in utility assistance for small businesses facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Aid is in the form of a credit adjustment on your next OUC bill.
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The US Small Business Association is accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, which provides critical economic relief program for live venues, museums, movie theatres and more. Businesses interested in seeking assistance can contact Orlando Economic Partnership's BRACE team for guidance.
Stay Engaged.
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Have any old, but gently used Halloween costumes for kids? Harbor House of Central Florida is asking for donations of candy (individually wrapped) and specifically not scary costumes for sizes infant to adult.
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Why celebrate Halloween for just one night when Orlando offers a lineup of the nation’s top spook-tacular events spanning multiple months? Visit Orlando has compiled Halloween festivities that have something for everyone, ranging from extreme thrills for adults and teens to friendly chills the whole family can enjoy.
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Here are ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in the greater Orlando area. Prost!
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It's Hunger Action Month and Second Harvest Food Bank is making it easy to get involved by sharing ways to help their mission with at-home and socially distanced activities.
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For the run-up to Halloween, here are nine arts & theater events to help you celebrate the spooky season in Central Florida.
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Our partners at Visit Orlando are proud to announce the return of Magical Dining, which runs through Oct. 3. Now in its sixteenth year, the wildly popular culinary event allows residents and visitors alike to taste top Orlando-area restaurants while benefitting a great cause.
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Join the Downtown Arts District for their Technicolor Tuesday movie series at CityArts! Next up on Oct. 5 is Coco.
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VIP Tickets are on sale now for Come Out With Pride Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 9, with great benefits like air conditioned tents, front row access to entertainment, complimentary F&B and dedicated viewing spots for the fireworks spectacular!
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United Arts is now accepting applications for the next cycle of Project Grants. The next application deadline is Jan. 26, 2022. Organizations can learn more or apply at www.UnitedArts.cc/grants.
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Rollins College's student-run radio station launched a bi-weekly live concert series this month with performances every first and third Wednesday.
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Help the Orlando City SC license plate become a reality by purchasing your pre-sale voucher today! In order to be manufactured, the organization must sell at least 3,000 presale vouchers within 24 months.
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Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
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Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages as well as select dates for Halloween Horror Nights.
“Orlando has become a home for soccer in the U.S. and deserves to host the greatest soccer event on the planet. It provides all the infrastructure top athletes need, as well as plenty of hospitality and entertainment for the fans. It’s a great honor to lend my international soccer experience and become part of the Greater Orlando 2026 bid team.”
-Kaka
GO26 Honorary Chairman
See Kaka story below...
Around The Horn.
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Kaka, the Brazilian soccer star who culminated his career playing for Orlando City SC from 2015 to 2017, has become an Honorary Chairman of GO26, Orlando’s bid for selection as one of 10 U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
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After speaking at our 3rd Annual Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon earlier this week, USWNT legend Brandi Chastain took practice with the UCF Women's Soccer Team and former USWNT teammate, head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak.
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NHL preseason action is coming to Orlando's Amway Center on Oct. 5! Tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers are on sale now.
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Young players shouldered Orlando City’s playoff hopes in a comeback 2-2 draw at Nashville on Wednesday night, snapping its four-game losing streak.
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Seven-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky has joined the University of Florida swimming and diving program as a volunteer swimming coach. Ledecky announced that she will train for the 2024 Olympics in Gainesville with Florida head coach Anthony Nesty, who was an assistant coach for Team USA in Tokyo.
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Mo Bamba is entering the final year in his rookie scale contract and hopes to impress the Orlando Magic's new regime.
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UCF Coach Gus Malzahn provides injury updates on center Matt Lee, among others, while naming SEC transfer Joey Gatewood the backup quarterback to Mikey Keene.
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March Madness correspondent Andy Katz is excited for the upcoming men's basketball season and he has pored through the non-conference slate to pick out the top 20 matchups that you can't miss this fall and winter.
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Former Harmony High and Florida Gators softball standout Aleshia Ocasio was crowned the individual champion of the unique Athletes Unlimited professional softball league, where players pick new teams each week.
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From Front Office Sports: The NIL Marketability of DII and DIII Athletes. Many lower-division athletes are signing NIL deals, contradicting previous beliefs that only the most famous student-athletes would profit.
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Sports betting shows no signs of slowing down in the States. Ark Invest estimates the U.S. sports betting market will hit $37 billion by 2025 — a significant jump from the current $9.5 billion value.
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The Florida High School Athletic Association has expanded its busy spring season by increasing the number of playoff slots for six sports. Also approved unanimously was the much-anticipated creation of a state wrestling tournament for girls.
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From the Orlando Sentinel's J. Michael: Ode to Orlando Magic favorite J.J. Redick, retired after an unexpected 15-year NBA run.
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L to R: Vice President of ESPN Wide World of Sports and GO Sports Board Chairman Faron Kelley, Rising Star Award Winner Megan Rose (USTA), featured speaker and USWNT legend Brandi Chastain, Women in Sports Leadership Award Winner Stacey Allaster (USTA), Women in Sports Leadership Award Winner Trish Highland (Orange and Lake County Public Schools), Women in Sports Leadership Award Winner Kay Rawlins (Orlando City Foundation), Sarah Grafton, GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel.
Congratulations to the local award winners who were honored at our 2021 Celebrating Women in Sports Luncheon earlier this week, and thank you to presenting sponsor Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute for helping us host the 3rd annual event!
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In The News.
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Congratulations to our Corporate Partner, AT&T, who was honored as 2021 National Corporation of the Year at the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council's Business Impact Awards virtual event on Sept. 17. The evening recognized the achievements of Florida’s top minority businesses, major corporations and individuals committed to supplier diversity.
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Orlando is #1 on the list of most LGBTQ-friendly travel destinations in the United States, according to research from travel website ParkSleepFly. The rankings are based on anti-discrimination scores (using data from the Human Rights Campaign), LGBTQ events, safety, hotel prices, and more.
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When the Orlando Museum of Art opens its downtown branch in a new 33-story tower, it will feature the world’s first rooftop garden featuring works by world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
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It just got a lot easier to ride Hollywood Studios’ Rise of the Resistance now that virtual boarding groups have been replaced with a regular standby line.
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Next time you’re at the CityArts gallery, check out this new direct-to-garment print shop that’s recently opened in the building.
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A new satellite production facility, Terran Orbital is expected to invest $300 million in Florida’s Space Coast, bringing 2,000 jobs to the area.
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Lake Nona's hotel inventory is set to get a major upgrade later this year. The 234-room Lake Nona Wave Hotel is loaded with high-tech amenities that will to cater to both leisure and business travelers.
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United Arts of Central Florida has just released the names of the organizations that have been awarded its September cycle of Project Grants. Seventeen organizations were awarded grants in this cycle, totaling $27,000 in funds to support their projects, that range from cultural events to art therapy programs.
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With over a million lights, Leu Gardens will be transforming into a winter wonderland with the return of Dazzling Nights.
Fun & Games.
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