Impact Update for Thursday, August 5 |
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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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“Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.”
- Mary Lou Retton
American Gymnast & 5-Time Olympic Medalist
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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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Mayor Demings lifts the mask mandate for 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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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.
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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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SBA launches $100M Community Navigator Pilot Program. Applications are being accepted through July 12th.
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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.
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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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Orlando Health has a website specifically designed for the business community. The site features tips and best practices from medical experts, including facts about COVID-19.
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AdventHealth CentraCare's Employer Resources hub provides a vast number of resources to assist businesses. Their team of physicians and clinical experts can assist with business re-opening through consultation, comprehensive safety plan development and key services.
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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.
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The African American Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Enterprise, Inc. to present a webinar series designed to educate minority and small businesses regarding information integral to growth and success. Each 1 hour long session will provide small business owners, staff and team members who support them with the resources needed to create, maintain and grow a successful business. Sessions run through August 25, 2021.
Stay Engaged.
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It’s Orlando Magazine's 75th anniversary and they are celebrating in style with a citywide Best of ORL Scavenger Hunt from August 1-31! Anyone can participate in this interactive game to win fun prizes hidden throughout the city - sign up here to view the rules and receive clues via email.
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Orlando’s gourmet dining scene takes center stage thanks to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, running from Aug. 27 through Oct. 3, 2021! Now in its 16th year, the popular culinary event features top Orlando-area restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus for just $37 per person - including many options for open-air dining and takeout.
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The Orlando Repertory Theater announced its 2021-22 season, which includes a one-man version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and the beloved children’s musical Pete The Cat.
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Orlando will host the return of the Red Bull BC One competition on August 20-22 this year, featuring some of the world’s best breakers, dancers, and hip-hop enthusiasts.
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Hawaiian-themed restaurant The 808 (co-owned by GO Sports Board Member, Wendy Connor) is set to celebrate its grand opening on Sunday, Aug. 8. The event is set to get underway at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
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SeaWorld Orlando's debuts Howl-O-Scream. The theme park's first ever themed Halloween special.
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$6 specialty burgers will be on the menu at over 25 restaurants during Orlando Burger Week. Don’t let the name fool you - the event is actually running for two weeks this year.
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Help the Orlando City SC license plate become a reality by purchasing your pre-sale voucher today! In order to be manufactured, the organization must sell at least 3,000 presale vouchers within 24 months.
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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 as well as select dates for Halloween Horror Nights.
“We have great passion for soccer and we’re believers in the growth of both the men’s and the women’s games. In fact on a personal level, I’m a soccer dad multiple times over. My own children all played youth soccer. Sports is a special passion, not just for the excitement of the business but the fact as we’ve been speaking here today, really bringing the community together and that’s something important to us.”
-Mark Wilf, Owner
Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride
See Wilf Family story below...
Around The Horn.
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Orlando City and Orlando Pride welcomed new owners the Wilf Family to Orlando at a ceremony at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday.
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Monday Night RAW returns to the Amway Center on Monday, August 9! Your favorite WWE Superstars are ready to return to the ring surrounded by their faithful fans. Tickets are on sale now!
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Five Orlando Magic players to watch at the NBA Summer League, including draft picks Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner.
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UCF has been picked to finish second in the American Athletic Conference preseason media poll. The Knights received 241 points and two first-place votes, finishing behind overwhelming favorite, Cincinnati.
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The return of live fans to sports hasn’t just been a saving grace to teams and leagues — it has also revived the ticketing industry. Ticketmaster had its fourth-best month in company history in June, by ticket volume.
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The WNBA Players Association has partnered with Gaming Society, a platform co-founded by Kevin Garnett that aims to make sports betting more inclusive, in order to boost engagement with the WNBA through sports betting.
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When members of the USA Softball team return home from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to play in the second season of Athletes Unlimited's professional softball league, they will find themselves part of the red hot NFT collectibles market.
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Athleta has launched a new platform dedicated to women’s wellness just days after company-sponsored gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the Olympic team finals, citing the need to focus on her mental health.
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From Women's Health Magazine: How today's top athletes are changing the world of sports, one brand partnership at a time.
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Before Simone Biles and Suni Lee, there was Nadia Comaneci, the Romanian-born gymnast who scored the first perfect 10. Now a U.S. citizen, Comaneci is an example of how Olympians pay it forward after their competition days are over.
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NASCAR is adjusting its health protocols as COVID-19 cases increase across the country. Beginning with this weekend's events at Watkins Glen International, all personnel must wear a face mask in enclosed areas at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
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The UK government has approved the Premier League’s rolling-over media rights deals with Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime and BBC Sport.
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In The News.
Fun & Games.
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