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Impact Update for Thursday, March 7

Happy 407 Day, Orlando!
“We are beyond humbled by the generosity of Jersey Mike's and its customers. I was amazed at the energy and enthusiasm of the thousands of athletes, families and fans who visited Jersey Mike's stores this month. We can't wait for this June to display the grit, determination, and bravery of our athletes.”

-Joe Dzaluk, President & CEO
2022 Special Olympics USA Games

See Jersey Mike's story below...
Quote of the Day.

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

- Michael Phelps
Around The Horn.


In The News.


  • From the Orlando Business Journal: The Walt Disney Co. will set aside nearly 80 acres in southwest Orange County for a 1,300-unit affordable housing community. 
  • Students and staff at Rollins College were given a surprise day off yesterday as part of their annual Fox Day tradition, giving staff and students a day to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather.
  • The Orlando Police Department is gearing up to offer a new multicultural youth basketball league. To help the league get off to a good start, Academy Sports + Outdoors provided the police department with a donation of a gym’s-worth of equipment Tuesday.
  • Brightline and SunRail may benefit from federal funds to help their local expansion efforts. Officials from the City of Orlando, Orange County, Brightline and Universal met at the American Public Transportation office in Washington, D.C, to discuss the potential to use federal grant dollars to grow the system, according to an April 4 letter from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.
  • The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens has named Richard Glover as its new CEO. Glover previously was vice president of communications and marketing for Space Center Houston, a space-centric learning center and attraction in Houston. 
  • Six new high-concept bars are in the works for downtown Orlando, thanks to a group of local investors. The group, associated with Bar None Creations LLC, includes the same people behind Cocktails & Screams, a popular Halloween-themed bar.
  • Orlando transportation leaders believe the time is now to drive innovation and investment into the regional transportation network. More than 120 businesspeople attended Orlando Business Journal's Business of Transportation event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Downtown on April 1 to hear from five officials on the future of transportation and the region's needs.
  • From WESH: A 6-year-old boy was on a mission to fight crime in Orlando this week. Masai, who was with his family visiting from Philadelphia, was joined by Batman at the Amway Center. They searched for the Joker throughout the venue who "kidnapped" Orlando Magic's mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon. The duo worked with the Orlando Police Department, Orlando Fire Department, Seminole County Sheriff's Office and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.  
Stay Engaged.
Executive Spotlight.

  • Orlando Business Journal is excited to hire a strategic minded Events Director for their fast paced, team oriented, and collaborative group that partners with clients and engages the local communities. This individual is responsible for owning the strategy and success of market events. Click here for more information and to apply.
  • The Downtown Orlando Partnership is hiring a Marketing and Experience Specialist, responsible for the organization and management of all Downtown Orlando Partnership and Foundation communication and marketing, as well as membership relations, administrative support, event management, and intern oversight. Click here for more information and to apply.
  • UCF is hiring an Event Coordinator. As a member of the University Events and Engagement team, this position ensures details involved in the planning and execution of signature programs and activities are completed with a focus on excellence. Click here for more information and to apply.
  • The Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is hiring a Sales Manager focusing on the Sports Market. The position is responsible for representing the company to customers, the public and other external sources, including the development and performance of sales activities. Click here for more information and to apply, or call Sandra Waldron at 407-571-3445.
In The Community.
GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Destinations International CEO Summit this week, pictured here with Roger Dow, President & CEO of US Travel, and Al Kidd, President & CEO of the Sports Events and Tourism Association
Thank you to Tanisha Nunn Gary, President of the African American Chamber of Commerce who invited GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel to present at the 2022 Eagle Awards Gala. The gala was also attended by GO Sports board members Justin Williams and Dr. Keita Joy. GLB Media Group, owned by board member Latria Graham, helped produce the event
GO Sports Senior Director Lindsey McBride spoke to students in the UCF Sports Management program about opportunities with Greater Orlando's chapter of WISE (Women in Sports & Events)
GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen attended the Jobs Partnership Faith That Works 2022 Fundraising Breakfast at Full Sail Live
GO Sports partners Tony Jenkins from Florida Blue and UCF President Dr. Alexander Cartwright were also presenters at the 2022 Eagle Awards gala
GO Sports' Monster Jam street team was out at the Spring Fiesta at the Park at Lake Eola last weekend, to promote Monster Jam World Finals returning to Camping World Stadium on May 21-22, 2022
Local Resources.

  • Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
  • City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
  • Lake County: Homepage
  • City of Orlando:
  • 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.
  • Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
  • Orange County:
  • 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.
  • Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
  • CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
  • Osceola County:
  • 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:
  • For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
  • Seminole County:
  • 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.
  • Additional Resources:
  • 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.