July 2020
Pinellas CARES Small Business Grant Progress Report
Phase 1 of the Pinellas CARES Small Business Grant program closed on June 30. Since the program opened on May 4, Pinellas County received 5,051 completed applications. The County has issued 2,420 checks totaling $12.1 million to eligible businesses with approved applications. Our team continues to review applications received before the June 30 deadline and will issue grants to eligible businesses as quickly as possible.

Pinellas County passes emergency ordinance requiring face coverings in most indoor spaces
Faced with an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners passed an emergency ordinance requiring that citizens wear face coverings in most indoor public places. The ordinance took effect June 24 at 5:00 p.m. and remains in place through the duration of Pinellas County's State of Local Emergency.


Bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages
Effective June 26, 2020, the   Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued Emergency Order 2020-09   suspending the sale of alcoholic beverages by vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises that derive more than 50 percent gross revenue from such sales, including bars and nightclubs.

SBA Now Accepting New Applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance
SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate temporary loss of revenue. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid. Learn more and apply at https://www.sba.gov/disaster.

Pinellas County COVID-19 Data Dashboard
The dashboard provides the best available snapshot of COVID-19 cases and testing to date, as well as daily healthcare system capacity.

Helpful links:
2020 Pinellas County
Hurricane Guide
Prepare your home and business before a storm strikes. The annual Hurricane Guide includes crucial information on:

  • Evacuation zones
  • Flood zones
  • Insurance
  • Evacuation planning
  • Home and business preparations
  • Post-storm recovery

Click here to view the 2020 Hurricane Guide.
REBUILD: A Co.Starters Program
Beginning July 15
Wednesdays 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Virtual Meetings via Zoom
This live-facilitated, 10-session program will help you refocus your business, stabilize it, and build toward long-term recovery. Working with a dedicated group of like-minded peers, you’ll cover topics relevant to the current COVID-19 challenges.


Learn more and apply at tbinnovates.com/rebuild.
Online Training from the
Florida Small Business Development Center
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have suspended our in-person workshops indefinitely, but you can still learn new skills from home to grow your small business! The FSBDC at USF is providing video seminars and online trianing courses on a variety of small business topics.


Visit https://sbdctampabay.com/training-calendar/ to register for live online training.
$80 Million for Affordable Housing in Pinellas County
The new $80 million Penny for Pinellas Affordable Housing Program supports qualified development and rehabilitation projects in our community. In Florida’s most densely-developed county, addressing housing affordability requires creative approaches, and projects may take a variety of forms, including development and rehabilitation of multi-family, mixed-use and single-family homes. Builders and developers with projects in Pinellas that meet the program requirements should apply by 5 p.m., on Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 at HomesforPinellas.org. 
News Links

Pinellas County Economic Development | (727) 464-7332 | econdev@pinellascounty.org
13805 58 St. N., Suite 1-200 | Clearwater, FL 33760