Impact Update for Thursday, February 11

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 and programming options listed below. Jason Siegel President & CEO Greater Orlando Sports Commission

“If you want to look good in front of thousands, you have to outwork thousands in front of nobody.” – Damian Lillard American Pro Basketball Player

Local Resources. Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates, as well as COVID-19 Testing Site Locations: City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites Lake County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites Facial Coverings Executive Orders are still in effect for both Orange County and Seminole County, as this protective measure prevents the spread of COVID-19. City of Orlando Updates: In an effort to attract quality retail operators to the area, the City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created the Retail Stimulus Program. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $75,000 or 50% of the total cost of tenant improvement related costs, whichever is less. Improvement related costs include electrical upgrades, plumbing, flooring, lighting, and more. Applicants will also be able to receive a one-time award of up to $25,000 to cover rent expenses. Park DTO has been extended through Sept. 1, 2021! Patrons can enjoy FREE parking in on-street spaces and inside specific City of Orlando garages while dining and shopping in Downtown Orlando. Click here to learn more about Park DTO. Eligible business owners can click here to apply for parking validations to provide to your patrons. Orange County Updates: The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) reopened online registration for COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals who are 65+ years old. Please visit ocfl.net/Vaccine for additional information and to make an appointment. Individuals experiencing issues booking an appointment online can dial 305-351-9531 or send an email to covid19support@cdrmhealth.com. Residents are urged to cancel any unwanted COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Cancelling unwanted appointments allows for others in the community to schedule an appointment, while also ensuring no vaccine doses are left unused. Orange County Health Services announced that free testing at Barnett Park has been extended and will remain open from 9am-5pm seven days per week through February 28, 2021. Orange County’s COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Program has helped over 3,100 individuals and families avoid eviction with providing nearly $10 million in assistance. Orange County intends to keep the program running until there is another program available to residents for rental assistance. Click here for program details, eligibility requirements and to apply now. Orange County Government is partnering with CareerSource Central Florida and Valencia College to offer a variety of short-term, vocational training courses at the Orange County Convention Center. Residents can apply for tuition assistance through CareerSource Central Florida’s “Help is Here” grant program. Orange County Government has awarded a Community Development Block Grant of more than $570,000 dollars to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando & Osceola County. The grant funding will provide free roof repairs to residents in Unincorporated Orange County, and select municipalities such as Apopka and Winter Park. Applications are currently closed, but check the website regularly for updates as the application program may re-open in the coming weeks. Orange County Health Services Department is providing free flu vaccinations. Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during a pandemic because it can save resources for the care of patients with COVID-19. Click here to book an appointment. The Orange County Library System offers a free online tool, Right Service at the Right Time, which is a 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 Updates: After receiving $3.2 million in funding from the Federal CARES Act, Osceola County is expanding their program to help small businesses throughout the county, including the cities of Kissimmee and St. Cloud. Visit WeveOpenedSafely.com for more information and to apply. The Osceola County Board of County Commissioners has launched the new Commercial Utilities Assistance Program to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 to meet utility payments. The one-time grant is designed to work seamlessly with Toho Water Authority, KUA, and Duke Energy and will provide assistance to current Small and Large commercial utility clients in good standing prior to March 1, but are now 30 days or more past due. 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 Updates: Lake County residents can reach out to the Lake County Department of Housing and Human Services for information on SHIP rental assistance. Email SHIP@lakecountyfl.gov to receive an application and a secure link for uploading their forms and supporting documents. Residents can also call 352-742-6530, fax 352-742-6505 or come by the office, located at 2008 Classique Lane in Tavares. Click here for more information. Seminole County Updates Seminole County's COVID-responsible business listing site is live for business owners to begin promoting their businesses. Visit SeminoleSafeBusiness.com and click “Submit a Business” at the top of the page to begin. The site is intended to help promote businesses that are taking action to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 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. Covering Central Florida offers health coverage and a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who have been laid off related to COVID-19. Additional Resources: Orlando Health has a website specifically designed for those in the business community returning to normal operations. The site features tips and best practices from medical experts, including facts about COVID-19. AdventHealth CentraCare's Employer Resources hub provides a vast number of resources to assist businesses as they reopen. Their team of physicians and clinical experts can assist with business re-opening through consultation, comprehensive safety plan development and key services. 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. OneBlood is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Appointments to donate are required. Click here for more information. The Orlando Technology Community Support Grant Program expands the City of Orlando’s continued commitment to creating an environment for entrepreneurship as a critical component of the region’s innovation ecosystem. Organizations and companies are invited to apply for lump sum, matching grants of up to $10,000 to develop tech-focused events that unite the local tech workforce and community.  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. City of Orlando leaders and Black mental health professionals are hosting a virtual event this evening from 6pm-8pm, one that they hope will spark important conversations.  Join Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Initiative for the “How Dr. King Influenced My Life & Career” lunch and learn with featured speaker Doug Williams (former NFL player) on Thursday, Feb. 18. Looking for career advice? Orlando Business Journal's annual (and this year, virtual) BizWomen Mentoring Monday on Feb. 22 is your chance to get it from more than 30 local mentors.  Leu Gardens is hosting its popular Dinosaur Invasion exhibit that features life-sized dinosaur sculptures now through April 18. The exhibit features 20 dinosaur installations, and guests will be given a treasure hunt map to guide them during their visit to find all of the critters lurking in the bushes. NASA held a virtual discussion with a panel of current and past leaders spanning from the Apollo program to the current Artemis program honoring legacies Black leaders have made to the U.S. space agency. Watch the full video here. Learn all the ways science and technology are making a better tomorrow possible at this weekend's 4-day interactive expo hosted by the Orlando Science Center.  During Florida's mild winter months, county and state fairs set up with fried food, agriculture events, rides and entertainment. The Orlando Sentinel put together a list of the events happening around Central Florida. Are you ready for Valentines Day? These local businesses have you covered. Celebrate Valentine’s Day the right way with an evening poolside party overlooking Downtown Orlando (Feb. 12 & 13 only) at Grand Bohemian's rooftop pool. Enjoy complimentary wine and light bites while you enjoy performances by Gilberto Santos. Get 20% off apparel at Track Shack's Run 4 Love Sale, now through Saturday, Feb. 13! Looking for shoes as well? Track Shack always offers sale shoes! Ask any of their experts about sale shoes and receive an additional $10 off during this event. Shop Discover Downtown for that special someone with 20% off with the promo code Valentine20 online and in-store.  Orlando Sentinel's 26 creative at-home Valentine's date ideas. Madame Tussauds Orlando wants you to bid farewell to those old flames. On Feb. 14 and 15, the wax museum will grant free admission to those guests who are willing to shred, or delete from their phone, old photos of their exes. Universal Orlando's latest deals include discounts on four-day theme park tickets, plus three months free on two-park seasonal or annual passes. Florida residents can also get three days at the parks free with the purchase of a one day ticket. Florida residents can get their new year off to a magical start with a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks with the new Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket. This special offer allows you to visit their four parks through June 18, 2021 (subject to blackout dates), for just under $50 per day + tax. “I'm excited for the opportunity to build on the tremendous momentum UCF's talented student-athletes, coaches and staff have established with the enthusiastic support of Knight Nation and so many generous donors. There's no doubt in my mind that together we will continue to construct the best athletics program in the country by providing exceptional resources and services to our students. I'm ready to Charge On with Knight Nation.” -Terry Mohajir, VP & Director of Athletics UCF Knights See Mohajir story below... Around The Horn. Terry Mohajir, UCF's new Vice President and Director of Athletics has excelled at hiring coaches who win championships, raising the money for first-class athletics facilities and support resources necessary to be nationally competitive, and fulfilling a promise to guarantee a job or graduate school admission for every student-athlete who graduates. After the Buccaneers' Super Bowl win, Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski continued the famous tradition by participating in the “I’m Going to Disney World!” commercial. Gronkowski visited Walt Disney World earlier this week, while Brady will be visiting in the next few months. Commentary from the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: Step aside, Michael Jordan, Tom Brady is now the lion of all GOATs. Monster Jam is back! The world's most action-packed motorsports experience for families returns after a pandemic pause, roaring into Camping World Stadium for a high-octane weekend for three shows on Feb. 27-28.  Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic continues to put together a career season that keeps pushing him deeper into the franchise record books amid chasing his second NBA All-Star selection. Each day in February, Orlando City SC is recognizing a member of the Black community from the Central Florida area for #BlackHistoryMonth. Follow along! The starting lineups are set for tonight’s Daytona Duel qualifying races, which will set the lineup for Sunday's Daytona 500. The first race is scheduled to begin at 7:21pm ET on FS1. The second race is scheduled to begin around 8:45pm ET. The Australian Open began on Monday with up to 30,000 fans allowed daily - about 50% of normal capacity. MLS players and owners committed to a new collective bargaining agreement and a new season start date, but Commissioner Don Garber says there are still areas of uncertainty for the league. Materials used during Super Bowl LV and related festivities in Tampa will be reused as part of the NFL's effort to give back to host communities. Building materials will go to Habitat for Humanity, extra office supplies and PPE will go to The Boys and Girls Club, fresh food was donated by CBS Sports to the Tampa Bay Food Bank and mini football turfs were donated to ZooTampa at Lowry Park.  The Florida Gators continued to upgrade their future non-conference schedules, adding a home-and-home series with Notre Dame during the 2031 and 2032 football seasons. MLB is planning to revise its spring training schedule for the Grapefruit League, including organizing teams into "pods" based on geographic location, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.  The Big Ten Conference will relocate the 2021 Men's Basketball Tournament from the United Center in Chicago to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The tournament will take place March 10-14.  Follow some of the world’s best snowboarders as they take fans into their adrenaline-packed world in Halfpipe Hype, the Olympic Channel's new six-part original series. What better way to get excited for Beijing 2022?   In an effort to increase female participation in the sport, the NFL and Nike have partnered on a $5M campaign to bring girls flag football to every high school in America.  Pickleball has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in America, with more than 3.5 million players across the country. Birthed in the 1960s, the game combines elements of ping-pong, badminton, and tennis.  Pedro Gomez, an ESPN baseball reporter since 2003, passed away on Sunday, the network said. He was 58.

Wednesday was #NationalUmbrellaDay, with many Greater Orlando partners showing off their #PalmerUmbrella!

In The News. Visit Orlando's new $2.2 million marketing campaign "The Wonder Remains" is the organization's first full-scale marketing campaign since the start of the pandemic. While pre-pandemic campaigns targeted worldwide travelers, this one focuses specifically on visitors from Southeast U.S. According to CBRE’s U.S. Development Opportunity Index, Orlando offers one of the most favorable development markets for commercial construction in the U.S. The inaugural report ranked Orlando No. 4 behind Atlanta, Dallas and Phoenix.  Dejah Woods is making history in DeLand as the city’s first Black female firefighter, and she wants to be a role model for young girls and other women. Through a partnership with Orange County, AdventHealth distributed more than 3,500 COVID-19 vaccine doses last weekend to to health care workers with direct patient contact. In 2020, Orlando was third among metros that added the most residents, according to a recent report by real estate brokerage Redfin Corp. The Orlando metro gained 60,977 people, beating out other fast-growing cities like Atlanta, Austin and Tampa. Not sure which dishes to try at Universal's Mardi Gras festival? Here's a breakdown of over 45 food and drink options to help you choose wisely!  Last week, the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission voted unanimously to support a study to evaluate how a SunRail connection to Orlando International Airport (MCO) would benefit residents and visitors, a priority outlined in the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Alliance for Regional Transportation 2030 Report.  Orlando's Broadway Series will be back this fall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring seven productions including Hadestown and The Prom.  The American Hotel & Lodging Foundation recently presented four furloughed Orlando hotel employees with full-ride scholarships to Valencia College.  Professional golfer Justin Rose and his wife Kate have announced a $1 million donation to the Blessings in a Backpack Orlando chapter to help feed elementary school children who might otherwise go hungry on the weekend. The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Opera Orlando with a $10K grant to support new projects, including their first commission by a female composer. From Bungalower: What do pilots nickname their flight paths into Orlando? It's an internal thing, but you probably won't be surprised to find out they're inspired by Disney.  Fun & Games. WESH made a map of the most popular candies by state. Can you guess Florida's? 4 mood boosting colors that look good (and make you feel good, too). The 26 best online games to play with friends. You know it's spring when the first topiaries get installed at EPCOT!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PAST ISSUES OF THE IMPACT UPDATE

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌