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Impact Update for Thursday, February 17

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

“History has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.’”

- Michelle Obama

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.

iHeartMedia Central Florida recently announced the Florida Jobs Now Career Expo, an onsite resource event connecting job seekers to companies with exciting opportunities and benefits on Thursday, March 3 from 12pm-4pm. Register now to connect with recruiters from local companies and discover your next career.
Run through beautiful, neighborhood friendly Winter Park at the AdventHealth Winter Park Road Race on Saturday, March 12. The 45th annual event is a local tradition, and with a 10k, 2 mile and kids’ run, the whole family can participate!
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.
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.
Orlando-based photographer John Deeb will be hosting a free exhibition of his work at the Winter Park Tennis Center on Friday, Feb. 25, with an artist reception from 6pm-10pm. The showcase will feature 55 large-scale photo prints measuring 8×14 feet in size that will be affixed to the perimeter of the tennis center’s eight hard courts.
On February 19, do something crazy for a crazy good cause: Cupid’s Undie Run, a “brief” fun run that takes place in the middle of a BIG party! Whether you start a team with your friends or run solo, get excited to party with a purpose and raise money to find a cure for neurofibromatosis.
Planning a wedding? Then don't miss the next Winter Park Wedding Stroll on Feb. 20, where you can stroll down Park Ave while sipping champagne and mingling with some of Orlando’s most well-renowned wedding vendors.
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.

“It’s nice, really nice to be recognized by your peers. The state of Florida is brimming with outstanding sportscasters, so that makes it even more special. It’s just a real honor.”

-David Steele,

Orlando Magic Play-by-Play Announcer

See David Steele story below...

Around The Horn.

Orlando Magic television play-by-play announcer David Steele was named 2021 Florida Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. This is Steele’s second time winning this award after first earning the title in 2009. Steele also took home the 2021 SPORTYS award for Best in Sports Media.
Join us at the Citrus Club on Thursday, Feb. 24 for Orlando Business Journal's Business of Sports luncheon. Network with like-minded professionals and hear a panel of industry experts discuss the regional projects and initiatives making headlines in 2022. Click here to register now!
Arguably the biggest trend in Major League Soccer over the last half decade, off the field at least, has been the massive success of clubs in the southeast. Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte are all marking their mark. While the off-the-field success in the south has been unbelievable for MLS, it all started here in Orlando, with Orlando City.
A local skunk at the Orlando Science Center correctly predicted the Super Bowl winner over the weekend. OSC released resident Memphis the Skunk to choose between two helmets and he clearly chose the Rams to come out ahead.
Major League Fishing has a limited number of Marshal opportunities available at each Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit qualifier, including at the Harris Chain of Lakes on March 13-16, 2022. Register today for your chance to ride along with a pro and learn about locating and catching big bass while they are fishing for a $135,000 payday. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for serious anglers, and it is only available to MLF members and subscribers who are at least 16 years old.
Dating to last summer when Name, Image and Likeness rules were first implemented across the country, the industry has continued to evolve for college athletes. For UCF Athletics, the newest collective has been formed by one of its own: Former quarterback McKenzie Milton. His NIL-based company, Dreamfield, has launched "Mission Control," a UCF-focused collective.
We’re halfway through the Beijing Olympics. What have been the most noteworthy topics — and names — so far?
An estimated 101.1 million people watched the Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl over the Cincinnati Bengals on NBC and Telemundo, up from 2021 and capping a stirring playoff schedule for the NFL.
Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal at the Winter Olympics. A gold one, at that. But this meant much more than national pride.
It’s been no secret that American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco has been a big proponent of expanding the College Football Playoff. Aresco released an open letter on Monday, expressing his push for expansion while addressing some of those concerns put forth by the ACC and Big Ten.
The 2022 FHSAA soccer regional finals will include 10 teams from the Orlando area. Girls regional tournament games are scheduled for Tuesday. Boys matches will be played Wednesday. Winners advance to state semifinals on Friday and Saturday.
A new study led by soccer publication Versus has revealed that 72% of soccer fans have seen their interest in the women’s game increase over the last year.
For the first time in league history, an NBA broadcast was led entirely by women, on-air and behind the scenes. There were a total of 33 women on staff working the Jazz-Warriors game, either on-site or in the ESPN control room in Bristol, CT.

In The News.

Orange County has relaunched the Transportation Sales Tax Referendum effort after nearly a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Back in 2019, Orange County held over 200 community meetings and received nearly 11,000 surveys on local transportation needs and priorities. With the pandemic placing transportation efforts on hold, Mayor Jerry L. Demings is re-engaging residents by launching an online survey to make sure Orange County’s transportation priorities in 2022 still align with the initial survey. Additionally, Mayor Demings, Orange County Staff and local transportation agencies will participate in six open houses, one in each commission district to further offer chances for residents to meet with transportation experts.
The City of Orlando is considering the launch of a new job training program for residents impacted by Covid-19. City Council is set to vote at its Feb. 21 meeting to approve the Rapid Increase of Skills & Employment (RISE) training program through the American Rescue Plan Act. In partnership with CareerSource Central Florida, the program would be funded for two and a half years.
The City Beautiful won’t see passengers get to board Brightline trains until 2023, but last week Orlando received its first train that will bring passengers to Miami and back.
From Orlando Business Journal: Behind the deal: Why the seller of downtown Orlando's historic Tinker Building didn't just take the first solid offer.
The Walt Disney Co.'s theme parks continued their strong recovery for the entertainment giant's fiscal-year 2022 first quarter.
A new interactive hotel may be open in Orlando by 2024. New York-based Authentic Brands Group LLC, owner of the Sports Illustrated brand, announced the launch of Sports Illustrated Resorts — premium, lifestyle properties with a myriad outdoor activities.

Fun & Games.

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