Impact Update for Thursday, February 10
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
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.’”

- Charles M. Schulz
American cartoonist and creator of Peanuts
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.
  • 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. 
  • 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.


Stay Engaged.

  • Head over to Central Park on Feb. 10 for a Valentine's edition of Popcorn Flicks in the Park: 50 First Dates. Always free and open to the public, the Popcorn Flicks series takes place once a month in Winter Park.
  • There’s no need to travel to New Orleans when the Mardi Gras party is making its way to Central Florida! Head to Leesburg on Saturday, Feb. 12 as the Mardi Gras Party in the Street brings the fun to historic downtown.
  • The Tenth Annual Dragon Parade celebrating the Lunar New Year will take place on Sunday, February 13 in the Mills 50 District. This event acknowledges the ever increasing number of Asian businesses as well as the relevance and importance of the Asian influence in Orlando and recognizes the unity of immigrants from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Korea and other Asian countries who live and work here.
  • The Amway Center is hosting a job fair on February 15. Job openings include positions in guest services, security, food and beverage and cleaning. The event will be hosted on the East Terrace Level concourse within the Amway Center from 4 - 8 p.m.
  • BIG Salsa Festival Orlando, a three-day Latin event on Feb. 17-21, will feature some of the greatest names in performing arts and music! If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance, this is the perfect beginning.
  • Join the Downtown Development Board on Feb. 24 for the first What’s Up Downtown of 2022, celebrating Black History Month in downtown Orlando with a focus on Parramore. This panel discussion will be about the past, present, and future of Parramore, sharing how the village was shaped by education, entrepreneurship, faith-based leadership, as well as the historical perspective.
  • The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park will host its 87th Annual Bach Festival this February 4-27, which will feature seven ticketed concerts and five community events, including free recitals and masterclasses. Programs will take place on the campuses of Rollins College and Trinity Preparatory School and at Dr. Phillips Center’s Steinmetz Hall.
  • Join the Soulful Celebration at Disney Springs all month long and ignite your senses as you immerse yourself in culturally inspired dining for brunch and happy hour, spirited music performed by Motown in Motion, House of Blues folk art and more - including Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney.
  • Summer Camp registration is now open for the Orlando Science Center! Keep learning all summer long with exciting STEM camps for Preschool* through Grade 9, featuring topics like chemistry, engineering, nature, and many more.
  • Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
  • Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.


“His creativity, charisma, excitement, passion,
joy and love for the game is going to be fantastic. Cole does a wonderful job of being that energy-bringer in so many cases.
That’s going to stand out.”

-Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic Coach
Speaking about Cole Anthony's opportunity to compete in the Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend.
See story below...

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