Impact Update for Thursday, November 18 |
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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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“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
- Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot)
English novelist, poet, journalist, and translator
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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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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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Booster shots are now available at the vaccination site at the Orlando International Airport. The site is open from Thursday - Monday, Noon to 6pm and is located on the third floor of the airport near the checkpoint for gates 70 to 129.
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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 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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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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What's Up Downtown for the Holidays is just a few weeks away! Join guest emcee District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan for song and dance performances by local talent during this free event. Pack up your lunch and head to the Walt Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park on Thursday, Dec. 2.
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Many local restaurants are again offering special Thanksgiving dinner to-go family meals, or dine-in menus if you prefer to go out. Check out a few favorite picks for Thanksgiving dinner to go and dining in.
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Cultures from all across the world will gather on the front lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts for the return of the annual FusionFest over Thanksgiving weekend. The free, two-day, multicultural festival draws people from more than 100 different cultures to share music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games, and interactive activities.
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From dazzling dinosaurs to a NEW out-of-this-world experience, mark your calendar for all of the exciting events happening this November at the Orlando Science Center!
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The State of Downtown address is hosted by the Downtown Orlando Partnership each year and is attended by hundreds of Central Florida’s most influential stakeholders and downtown supporters. This signature event will feature networking and key note address by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
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Curry Ford West launched a series of interactive selfie stations in its district last year and it was so popular that they decided to bring it back. Picture Perfect Holiday will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 4 during a Winter Festival celebration from 2-5 p.m.
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The 2021 holiday season has finally arrived in Orlando. Throughout November and December, downtown Orlando is offering free, family-friendly holiday events and activities for all to enjoy.
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The City of Orlando is renewing its grant support for tech events. The city has been funding the Orlando Technology Community Support Program via the Orlando Economic Partnership since 2018. Applications for the 2021-2022 fiscal year are expected to open in Nov. 2021, with awards being recommended in Feb. 2022.
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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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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.
“I believe that U.S. soccer has always ‘fought’ the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL for consumer attention and consumption. However, the growth in soccer clubs across the USA is impressive. In 2016, there were 20 clubs. In 2021, there are 27 clubs. So this number shows an upward growth trend.”
-Kyriaki Kaplanidou
UF Sports Management Professor
See OBJ story below...
Around The Horn.
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From Orlando Business Journal: Orlando scored big in WalletHub's study of best cities for soccer fans. Here's why that matters.
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USA Volleyball, the national governing body for the sport of volleyball in the United States, and the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), the US premier professional beach volleyball organization and longest-running domestic tour, recently announced a new partnership in an ongoing effort to grow and enhance the sport of beach volleyball within the US.
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After going its first five seasons without, Orlando City is in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second straight year and are hungry for more.
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From the Orlando Sentinel: There are no training wheels, especially in a league like the NBA. So when Franz Wagner arrived in Orlando, he stepped right into the fray with a rebuilding Magic squad dependent on youth.
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The Orlando Magic announced a plan to give $3 million in grants to 30 nonprofit organizations, doing so to commemorate the DeVos family's 30 years of owning the franchise.
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UCF’s classic “Knighthead” logo has received a facelift as the athletics department begins to prepare for bigger stages and brighter lights in the Big 12 Conference. The new logo, which serves as a secondary to UCF’s primary “stacked” logo, provides a more modern look.
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Fifth-year senior Brandon Mahan hit back-to-back 3s in the closing minutes to lift UCF to a 63-54 win over Jacksonville on Tuesday night at Addition Financial Arena.
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For nearly three decades the ultimate goal for the storied Dr. Phillips boys basketball program was an elusive state championship, which they accomplished last season. Now, with three high-major recruits back from its title team, the Panthers are looking for more.
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Bowl season is quickly approaching, and with only four weeks left in regular-season play, there are still several teams in contention from each partner conference to make the trip to Orlando. Click to check out the latest Cheez-It Bowl and Vrbo Citrus Bowl projections from a panel of national college football reporters.
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World governing soccer body FIFA has announced it will visit Edmonton, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, and Toronto in its third and final leg of 2026 World Cup candidate host cities from November 17-22.
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UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel practiced with the team for the first time since breaking his collarbone at Louisville on Sept. 17, Knights coach Gus Malzahn said.
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Familiar faces are in familiar places this week as Orlando Sentinel Super 16 teams enter the second round of the FHSAA regional playoffs. No. 1 Seminole hosts No. 6 Lake Mary in a Class 8A Region 1 semifinal. No. 5 West Orange hosts No. 7 Osceola in 8A Region 2.
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Don’t forget to register for the 6th World Research Summit for Hospitality and Tourism, Dec. 14-15 at UCF’s Rosen College. Jason Siegel, Greater Orlando Sports Commission President & CEO, will be speaking at this virtual, interactive event, which features in-depth panel topics including sustainability and growth in tourism, data-driven decision-making and hospitality in healthcare.
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In The News.
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The Orange County Mayor's Toy Drive is back! Since its first event in 2011, the toy drive has collected and distributed more than 56,000 toys to Orange County youth and family agencies, supporting residents in need during the holiday season.
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As Brightline Trains officials welcomed back passengers this week, President Patrick Goddard highlighted the accomplishments and opportunities still ahead for the $5 billion rail project.
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Beep Inc., a global leader in multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions headquartered in Orlando’s Lake Nona, is the 2021 recipient of the Orlando Economic Partnership’s Schwartz Innovation Award.
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Things are going to be hopping in downtown Orlando in 2022. With less than two months still left in this year, the City of Orlando already issued more new construction permits in 2021 than in all of 2020.
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The 2021 Florida Energy and Climate Summit kicked off on Tuesday. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer welcomed attendees to the event, being held at the Florida Hotel & Conference Center on Sand Lake Road.
Fun & Games.
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