 Pinellas CARES Small Business Grant program extended to June 30 Small business owners with a commercial location in the county now have until June 30, 2020to complete their application online to be considered for a one-time $5,000 grant to cover COVID-19 related expenses, such as employee wages, vendor bills and mortgage or rent costs. Read the FAQs first to ensure you have the details of how to submit a complete application for review, and then visit www.PCED.org/cares to apply. Details for Pinellas CARES funding for individuals are available at: https://covid19.pinellascounty.org/where-to-get-help/. Pinellas CARES Small Business Grant Progress ReportSince the program opened on May 4, Pinellas County has received 4,252 completed applications. The County has issued 646 checks totaling $3.23 million to eligible businesses with approved applications. Our team is reviewing each application and will issue grants to eligible businesses as quickly as possible. To respond to this new and unprecedented need during this critical period in our community, the County has tripled the number of reviewers since the inception of the program, and now has a team of over 50 staff members assigned to review applications. All applications submitted before the deadline on June 30 will be considered. Pinellas County lifts COVID-19 restrictions that exceed state rulesAs of May 28, 2020, Pinellas County has extended its State of Local Emergency declaration for COVID-19 to June 5 and lifted rules pertaining to public beaches, shared pools and playgrounds that exceeded the state’s requirements. Click here for full details. Pinellas County COVID-19 Data DashboardThe dashboard provides the best available snapshot of COVID-19 cases and testing to date, as well as daily healthcare system capacity. Pinellas County resumes some in-person services suspended due to COVID-19Read more about services now available from Pinellas County Solid Waste and Animal Services. COVID-19 Business Recovery ResourcesWe’ve added a new page to our website to help Pinellas businesses locate valuable information on reopening and recovery guidance. www.PCED.org/recovery Helpful links:Pinellas County COVID-19 Information & AssistanceCOVID-19 Funding for BusinessesWhat’s Open and What’s NotSocial Distancing Tips How Local Business Can Help |
| 2020 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonThe 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1st. Is your business prepared? Visit www.pinellascounty.org/emergency, and our website at www.PCED.org/hurricane for tips and resources to get ready. |  |
| Tampa Bay Tech Virtual Career FairJune 10, 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.Employers, promote your open tech positions to career seekers via virtual booths, live chats, and webinars. Click here to learn more. |
| Virtual Export AssistanceDid you know that firms that export grow faster, create more jobs, and their employees earn more than non-exporting firms? Global Tampa Bay presents this new initiative to bring to Tampa Bay businesses virtual export assistance programs. To learn more, visit www.PCED.org/international, or contact Brent Barkway at bbarkway@pinellascounty.org. June 8 WebinarTune into a one hour webinar on current virtual export assistance programs available through the U.S. Commercial Service and Enterprise Florida! Programs include market research, matchmaking, and virtual introductions with distributors or clients. The presentation will include an explanation of supporting grant and scholarship opportunities for the programs. 1:00 p.m., June 8RSVP for webinar link: mlawson@tampabayedc.com |
| 3 Resources for Creating a Winning Export StrategyThe U.S. Commercial Service has developed free, on-line resources to make planning easier and help you become a more proactive and successful exporter. Click here for more information. |  |