Impact Update for Thursday, January 7 |
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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 and programming options listed below.
Jason Siegel
President & CEO
Greater Orlando Sports Commission
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“If you train hard, you'll not only be hard, you'll be hard to beat.”
– Hershel Walker
Hall of Fame College and Pro Football Player
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Local Resources.
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Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates, as well as COVID-19 Testing Site Locations:
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City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites
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Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites
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Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites
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Lake County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites
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Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites
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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:
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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.
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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:
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The Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange) reopened online appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. Appointments are available 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.
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The COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Program deadline has been extended to January 29, 2021. Click here for eligibility criteria and required documents.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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 Updates:
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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. 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
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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OUC has launched the Small Business Assistance Fund, which provides up to $2,500 in utility assistance for small businesses facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Aid will be in the form of a credit adjustment on your next OUC bill. Click here for more information and to apply.
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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.
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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.
Stay Engaged.
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The fifth annual Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest will be held January 7-10, 2021 featuring online streamed events, live performances, virtual kids fringe and socially distanced hangouts. Click here to learn more about the shows and ticket options!
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Kick off the new year with local fun! Orlando Date Night Guide just shared their list of favorite in-person and virtual events this month.
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Following the success "Dazzling Lights" at Leu Gardens, Creative City Project is moving over to Winter Park to host an 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.
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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.
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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.
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From WMFE: Don’t Let The Pandemic Winter Get You Down. Here Are 9 Creative Ways To Socialize Safely.
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If you're looking to plan ahead, Tasty Chomps has already released their "megalist" of Valentine's Day specials throughout Orlando.
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Disney released the menu for their 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts running Jan. 8 through Feb. 22. There's something for everyone on this foodie guide!
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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.
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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.
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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 blockout dates), for just under $50 per day + tax.
“We are thrilled to welcome our friends at US Soccer once again. It is always exciting when we have the opportunity to host the World Champions, but we are especially proud to do so during this moment in time. Of course, these events do not happen without the hard work from the Orlando City SC front office who have developed outstanding safety protocols that have allowed us to welcome fans for safe and exciting soccer here in Central Florida.”
-Orlando City SC CEO Alex Leitao
See USWNT story below...
Around The Horn.
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The U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team will hold its January training camp in Orlando from Jan. 9-22, concluding with two games against Colombia on Jan. 18 and Jan. 22 at Exploria Stadium. Tickets go on sale to the public for both matches on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. ET through ussoccer.com.
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Orlando Pride stalwarts Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger were called up for USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski’s 27-player training camp roster in Orlando.
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Orlando City also saw four players called up for the U.S. Men’s National Team senior team (Chris Mueller) and U-23 team (Daryl Dike, Benji Michel, Andrés Perea) training camps taking place this month at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
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Last night's victory that pushed the Orlando Magic's record to 6-2 was overshadowed by an injury to starting point guard Markelle Fultz, who tore the ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season.
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The NCAA will stage the entire 2021 men’s basketball championship in Indiana, with the majority of the tournament’s 67 games taking place in Indianapolis.
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From the Orlando Sentinel: UCF’s Dillon Gabriel is among the top candidates to win next year's Heisman Trophy.
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The Boston Red Sox announced that Bianca Smith, will join the team as a minor league coach. She will become the first Black woman to coach in pro baseball.
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In a memo released Monday, the NBA announced stricter safety restrictions, requiring all players on active rosters to wear a mask while in the bench area before entering games.
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A diversity study out of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) based at UCF found increasing numbers of women and people of color in leadership positions at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of college athletics for 2020, though not enough to overcome a significant “underrepresentation.”
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Epic Games has a site for its next headquarters: a shopping mall. The “Fortnite” developer acquired the 87-acre Cary Towne Center in North Carolina for $95 million and will turn the site into a new headquarters by 2024.
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The NFL’s ongoing media rights discussions could reportedly end in 10-year deals that exceed $100 billion in total value. All of the league’s current broadcast deals expire by 2022.
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Ahead of its upcoming shortened season, the NHL unveiled sponsors for its four re-aligned divisions as it searches for ways to make up revenue. The league took a hit from COVID-19, with year-over-year revenue dropping 14%.
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The Buffalo Bills and BioReference will conduct COVID-19 testing for 6,700 fans within a 72-hour window before Sunday's kickoff. Fans must show proof of a negative test before entering Bills Stadium.
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A very strong 2020 for the video game industry could continue well into the new year. Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Nowak says the pandemic likely pulled forward four years of gamer adoption. Six of the largest game publishers are expected to report a combined $24 billion in 2020 revenue, up 19% from 2019.
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Orlando City fans, the wait for a team license plate is almost over, but they need your help! In order for the new license plates to be manufactured, the DMV requires a minimum of 3,000 pre-sale orders. You can purchase your pre-sale voucher now for just $25 plus taxes and fees - click here to learn more!
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In The News.
Fun & Games.
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