At the Florida SBDC Network, the health and well-being of our customers, employees, and community remain our top priority. We understand that this is a stressful time and that small businesses like yours may be experiencing unexpected consequences as a result of the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are committed to keeping you safe and informed regarding our service offering and resources to protect your dream - your small business - by protecting your customers, employees and community from the virus and regarding disaster assistance should your business experience economic injury or other unintended consequences.
Florida SBDC Services & Events
All Florida SBDC office locations remain open at this time. However, there have been some modifications to how we will conduct face-to-face engagements with our customers and the general public.
Training Events and Workshops
To minimize the health and safety risk to our customers and employees, and prevent the further contraction and spread of the Coronavirus, all face-to-face Florida SBDC-sponsored training events and workshops scheduled between now and May 1st have been canceled. We are working to implement an expanded use of remote instruction to provide ongoing small business training services, especially in the area of pandemic planning, preparation, response and recovery.
Consulting
Our one-on-one consulting service offering will continue as scheduled at this time. However, all engagements will be conducted virtually until further notice. Please check with your consultant directly for details.
Preparedness Resources
The Florida SBDC is working closely with federal and state officials to inform and equip small businesses with information regarding COVID-19. You should be ready to implement strategies to protect your employees and customers from the virus, while ensuring the continued operation of your business.
Not too late to plan. Protect your small business.
Despite cases continuing to rise, it's not too late to take proactive steps to protect your business, employees, and customers. Here are a few things you can do right now:
1. Know the signs and symptoms.
Reference this fact sheet from the CDC for what you need to know about COVID-19.
2. Update your disaster preparedness plan.
Update your disaster preparedness plan to include guidance on COVID-19. A good plan will cover a number of things, including workplace safety precautions, travel restrictions, supply chain alternatives, procedures around remote work, and more. All of this should be documented to act as an easy-to-reference guide on how to keep the business running in difficult times.
3. Communicate and educate your employees.
Most likely, your employees are concerned about their health and well-being and have uncertainties about their work. Communication through a crisis is critical. Discuss proper hygiene etiquette and measures your office is taking to ensure workplace cleanliness and safety. Inform sick or at-risk employees that they should stay at home to minimize health and safety risks for your workplace. If employees are nervous about their safety, consider switching to phone calls or other face-to-face alternatives. You might also consider reducing employee travel or attendance of large meetings.
4. Look into business interruption insurance
Ask your insurance provider about insurance to cover unexpected major events such as COVID-19.
5. Don't panic.
In the midst of the pandemic, it's easy to get frightened. Stay up to date with the latest information from the most reliable sources to guide you. For more information, download these helpful guides for information about the virus, tips to safeguard your employees, and for information to plan and respond to the virus:
- Fact Sheet: What You Need to Know about COVID-19 (CDC)
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
- Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)
Note: We will update this list regularly as resources are available.
Recovery Resources
The Florida SBDC Network is working closely with state and federal officials regarding the availability of disaster resources to recover from economic injury and other impacts as a result of COVID-19.
Federal disaster assistance
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. This program provides working capital to small businesses (and some small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations) who have suffered "substantial economic injury" as a result COVID-19. Substantial economic injury means a business has been unable to meet its obligations and to pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses.
Important note: Currently, the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is not available to small businesses in Florida. Each state must make a request based on need for this federal loan program. The state of Florida utilizes its Business Damage Assessment Survey to determine the level of impact and need for federal and state disaster assistance. If your business has been impacted by the virus, it is imperative that you complete this important survey.
State disaster assistance
Governor DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program. The purpose of the program is to provide an expedient source of capital to impacted small businesses. The bridge loan is a short-term, interest-free source of working capital intended to help the business "bridge the gap" between the time of impact and when federal assistance is available.
Application deadline: May 8, 2020 I Click here for more information.
Florida SBDC Network stands ready to help you prepare and recover.
As during any disaster, we are here to help your business prepare and recover. Our team can also assist you with developing a preparedness plan and with other measures to safeguard your employees, customers, and ensure the continued operation of your business. Upon the activation of federal and state disaster assistance, our team of disaster specialists can assist you with preparing and submitting your loan application and with other post-disaster challenges.
Contact one of our 40 offices nearest you to learn more.
