• 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 Feb. 1, 2021! Patrons can enjoy FREE parking in metered 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 read Frequently Asked Questions and 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 email covid19support@cdrmhealth.com.
• The COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Program deadline has been extended to January 29, 2021. Click here for eligibility criteria and required documents.
• 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. 

• Russian Ballet Orlando has launched another session of Project Releve, offering free ballet classes every second Sunday for children ages 3 to 7 beginning Feb.14. To register your child, go to www.russianballetorlando.org.
• Celebrate the start of Black History Month at Discover Downtown with a pop-up shop event on Friday, January 22 from 11am to 3pm. Representative Geraldine Thompson will be in attendance to speak about her book, Black America Series: Orlando, FL, and her contributions to the community and life in politics.
• Icon Park is expanding its Play Pass combo ticket. For $69, buyers get entry to Museum of Illusions, Orlando StarFlyer, Madame Tussauds Orlando, The Wheel at Icon Park, Sea Life Aquarium Orlando, Pearl Express Train and 7D Dark Ride Adventure, as well as a $5 Play Card for Arcade City. 
• Tyrannosaurus rex, triceratops and even a megalodon will soon take over the parking areas at the Orange County Convention Center as Jurassic Quest brings its life-sized prehistoric creatures to Orlando.
• Creative City Project is hosting a new, immersive take on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. "Down the Rabbit Hole" will run from February 6 - March 14 at Mead Botanical Garden and will feature a combination of dance, music, theater, and circus arts across the campus.
• Leu Gardens is bringing back its popular Dinosaur Invasion exhibit that features life-sized dinosaur sculptures from January 18-April 18. The exhibit will feature 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.
• Young astronauts and aspiring space explorers have a new forum to discover planets and delve into galaxies at Planet Play, the latest addition to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Immersion and interactivity are key for the new play are geared toward ages 2-12.
• Gatorland admission for Florida residents is just $9.99 for the month of January, the lowest it's been since 2014. Tickets must be purchased at the admission gate and a valid Florida ID presented. A single-day pass is normally $29.99.
• 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.

• U.S. Soccer will host the sixth annual SheBelieves Cup from Feb. 18-24 as Brazil, Canada and Japan join Team USA for the most elite four-team international tournament in women’s soccer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all six matches will be staged in at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.
• The NBA G League announced that 18 teams, including 17 NBA G League teams and G League Ignite, will take to the court in February at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The top eight teams from the regular season games will advance to a single-elimination playoff.
• The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Group1001 announced today that Lake Nona Golf & Country Club will host the second edition of the Gainbridge LPGA in 2021. The event will be held Feb. 25-28 and feature a field of 120 players competing for a $2 million purse.
• The Orlando Pride bolstered its attacking options for the 2021 NWSL season, selecting midfielder Viviana Villacorta with the ninth overall pick in the draft.
• Four Orlando City players are in Bradenton this week for U.S. men’s national team training camp, with three of them young enough to earn spots on the U-23 roster ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
• Sportico's JohnWallStreet analyzes the lack of communication and transparency regarding FIFA's selection of U.S. host cities for the 2026 World Cup, noting that anonymous WC26 insiders call the process "cloaked in mystery."
• The Orlando Solar Bears dig into a busy weekend with three games in three days, starting on Friday, Jan. 15 against the Jacksonville Icemen the Florida Everblades. 
• Balanced scoring led UCF Women's Basketball to a 58-51 road victory over ECU.
• From Front Office Sports: Less than 200 days from the Tokyo Olympics, Japan has declared a state of emergency after another wave of COVID-19 cases. Olympic organizers say that if the events cannot happen in 2021, they will be canceled.
• Esports streaming numbers for 2020 are up 69% year-over-year in the latest report from Engine Media's Stream Hatchet.
• The American Athletic Conference released its 2021 Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll this week, and UCF is predicted to finish first overall in the conference for the third time in program history.
• The NCAA announced its health and safety plans for all non-hoops winter championships. All rounds of the championships will be held at predetermined sites, with bids for those being accepted now through January 25 and host sites announced the week of Feb. 8. 
• Augusta National plans to host a limited number of patrons for The Masters, scheduled for April 5-11, 2021. 
• Amazon Inc. is planning to bid for Italy’s Serie A TV rights, putting it in competition with Comcast Corp.’s Sky to broadcast one of world’s biggest soccer tournaments, according to people familiar with the matter.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars and Urban Meyer met today and engaged in advanced talks to see if they can finalize a deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
• Steve Spurrier, who had a 3-1 record against Nick Saban, says the Alabama coach keeps winning because he has the best players, the team with the best chemistry and the best game plan.

• Mayor Dyer and the Orlando City Council broke ground at the new Creative Village Central Park or “Luminary Green,” a new city-owned and managed park just west of the Central Business District that will measure in at 2.3-acres when it’s completed by the second half of 2021.
• Outdoor NFL stadiums and Major League Baseball ballparks across the country are being repurposed as states work to administer the Covid-19 vaccine en masse.
• The Florida Film Festival announced it will be back at the Enzian Theater for its 30th anniversary. From April 9-22, viewers will have the option to catch in-person screenings at the Enzian or stream them from the comfort of their home. 
• Downtown Orlando welcomed its newest hotel to the area, AC by Marriott Downtown Orlando, housed in the new SunTrust Tower. The hotel will bring Spanish roots and European soul to the historic and business district. 
• Fans of Girl Scout cookies can have their thin mints and Tagalongs delivered through Grubhub this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change annual traditions.
• Universal Orlando will present an event called Mardi Gras 2021: International Flavors of Carnaval at Universal Studios theme park starting Feb. 6.
• From WKMG: How the pandemic may have helped sea turtles this nesting season.

• Ashlyn Harris & Ali Krieger are locked in with the USWNT
• How Orlando Solar Bears fans celebrate 'National Dress Up Your Pet Day'