• 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:
• COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available at the Orange County Convention Center for any of the individuals listed below. Please visit ocfl.net/Vaccine for additional information and to make an appointment. If you experience issues booking an appointment online, dial 305-351-9531 or send an email to covid19support@cdrmhealth.com. Residents are urged to cancel any unwanted COVID-19 vaccination appointments to allow others in the community to schedule appointments and help ensure no vaccine doses are left unused.
• Florida residents or part-time residents over the age of 60
• Educator or staff members at a school/college, including licensed childcare providers (any age)
• Sworn law enforcement officers or firefighter (any age)
• Health care workers with direct patient contact (any age)
• Veterans (any age)
• Extremely medically vulnerable/high-risk (any age)
• Orange County has launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program with more than $33 million in federal funds to help with rent assistance for predominantly low-income and qualified residents. Program and eligibility details can be found at ocfl.net/EmergencyRentalAssistance.
• 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 March 31, 2021.
• 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:
• The CDC has issued updated COVID-19 guidance, freeing fully-vaccinated Americans to gather indoors in small groups without masks or social distancing, even with unvaccinated people. 
• 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 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.

• EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival is showcasing snacks from around the world, but their main stage will have a more homegrown feel with six local bands scheduled to perform led by Motown in Motion, a Disney Springs favorite.
• Bedtime stories are cool, but having them read to you by a firefighter is even cooler. Tune in virtually (for free) on the third Thursday every month at 7pm EST for a new story read by the Orlando Fire Department. 
• The Orlando Philharmonic is partnering with the Frontyard Festival to host a free performance for Central Florida public school teachers who teach the arts to congratulate them on making it through this past year. 
• The Central Florida Urban League announced the launch of the Whitney M. Young Academy, a revolutionary approach to K-12 education in Central Florida. They are now accepting applications for the 2021 - 2022 school year.
• Orlando Magic fans are invited to participate virtually in the inaugural Orlando Magic 5k and Kids' Run presented by AdventHealth! Join the community of Magic fans known as the team's Sixth Man, and be part of “Magic Together” as we walk or run for a good cause.
• From wild animal encounters to live shows and activities to all-new interactive exhibits, Orlando Science Center is open daily during Spring Break to bring you exciting experiences that will help people of all ages learn and grow!
• The Orlando Museum of Art will be saying goodbye to winter and hello to spring at their four-day floral fundraiser, Art in Bloom, on March 25-28. Visitors can expect plenty of flower arrangements, a Bourbon and Blooms opening night reception, an outdoors farmers' market and more.
• Central Florida's newest Farmer's Market will take place every Saturday from 9am - 2pm at Barker Park, in the West Lakes community. The resident-run market features fresh produce, prepared foods and other must-have items from locally-owned businesses. Learn more!
• 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.

• The Greater Orlando 2026 FIFA World Cup Pursuit Partners (GO26) met with officials from FIFA and U.S. Soccer this week (March 16, 2021) to discuss Camping World Stadium’s infrastructure. The virtual meeting was a significant step in the bid process with the final venue selection expected to be announced in the fourth quarter of 2021.
• Orlando Health has finalized an agreement with Full Sail University to rename the school's $6M esports arena to Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress. Orlando Health and Full Sail will use revenue generated by The Fortress to give $50,000 in scholarship money each year to Full Sail students, and the organizations will collaborate on research projects focused on the physical esports gamers.
• Last year, Chris Nikic made headlines after becoming the first person with Down syndrome to become an Ironman. Now he’s getting ready for his second full Ironman race in October, which is taking place in Hawaii.
• Brazilian star Alexandre Pato hopes to build a better life on and off the pitch with his move to Orlando City this season. When he terminated his contract with São Paolo in August, the striker knew he needed a change.
• The Orlando Magic are about to enter a stretch of their schedule that likely will determine their playoff future. 
• UCF will wrap up football camp by hosting its annual spring game on April 10 at the Bounce House. Kickoff is set for noon and attendance will be limited to 25%.
• QB Dillon Gabriel opens this spring as the face of UCF Football. With 22 starts under his belt, he’s established himself as the journeyman among the quarterbacks on the roster.
• Commentary from the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: Thank you to NBA, SEC, NFL and all sports for getting us through the pandemic.
• AAU President and CEO, Jennings “Rusty” Buchanan was inducted in to the 2021 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Class as the Sport Ambassador of 2021. He received this honor for his work on the 2020 AAU Junior Olympic Games.
• From the Orlando Sentinel's Matt Murschel: UCF AD Terry Mohajir opens up about the new job, Coach Gus Malzahn and packed stadiums.
• U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Gregg Berhalter has named a 26-player training camp roster - including Orlando City's Daryl Dike - as the USA prepares to gather in Austria for its second camp of 2021.
• Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the 101-year-old chaplain for Loyola Chicago, will travel to Indianapolis for the team's first-round March Madness matchup with Georgia Tech on Friday.
• Lakeland Magic coach Stan Heath has been named the NBA G League Coach of the Year nearly a week after his team won its first league championship.
• Do you have a special hero in your life? Honor them by nominating them to be a Hometown Hero at an upcoming Solar Bears game!
• UFC president Dana White announced that UFC 261, currently scheduled for April 24, will be held with a full crowd of 15,000 in Jacksonville's VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
• A person familiar with negotiations says the Jacksonville Jaguars and former Seattle cornerback Shaquill Griffin have agreed to a three-year deal worth up to $44.5 million, a significant move for new coach Urban Meyer in his NFL debut.
• Fall 2023 will mark the first season of the WXV — a new women’s rugby league comprising 16 teams across the globe. World Rugby plans to invest $8.85 million in the women’s league over the first two years. Teams will qualify depending on the outcome of their annual regional competitions.
• LeBron James is buying into Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, at an undisclosed number of shares. James has been part-owner of Premier League club Liverpool, which is also owned by FSG, since 2011.
• Tiger Woods has signed a long-term partnership with the company behind the PGA Tour 2K video game series, returning the 15-time major champion to an industry he once dominated with EA Sports.

• The City of Orlando plans to launch a new job creation incentive this month. Orlando City Council will vote on the STRIVE Orlando Program during its March 22 meeting.
• Jones High School student Smith Charles just walked 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery to commemorate when hundreds marched to fight for voting rights in 1965. His journey comes on the heels of a renewed push for stricter voting laws.
• Walt Disney World is introducing a new way to enter its theme parks: iPhones. The option, dubbed Disney MagicMobile service, will operate through the company’s My Disney Experience app and the device’s digital wallet.
• On St. Patrick's Day this year, Guinness announced it would be donating $600,000 to Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization, as well as seven food banks across the country. Orlando’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida was one of the seven organizations selected.
• The Internal Revenue Service says it's delaying the traditional tax filing deadline from April 15 until May 17.
• The TSA recorded its first year-over-year increase in travelers flying in the U.S. since the pandemic began, with 1.34M people passing through TSA checkpoints last Sunday compared to 1.26M people screened one year ago. 
• A new mural unveiled at the CityArts Courtyard in downtown Orlando is just the start of making downtown an even more appealing place to visit, officials say.
• Internationally acclaimed celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay plans to open an Orlando restaurant on International Drive — a bullish investment in the future of the popular tourism corridor.
• After being closed for nearly a year during the COVID pandemic, the swimming and tubing areas at Rock Springs within Kelly Park are again open to the public with the park operating at half capacity.

• Mo Bamba brings you his predictions for the #MarchMadness Final Four
• The Orlando Pride are committed to getting better everyday
• Orlando Solar Bears #WallpaperWednesday game is still going strong!