COVID-19 Tools and Resources

Your Manatee Chamber is here to support you, your employees, and our community. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we are committed to providing our members and our community with useful information and business resources.

NEWEST ADDITIONS – EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

  • IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief information can be found here.
  • The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity provides temporary, partial wage replacement benefits to qualified workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. It is funded solely by employers who pay federal and state payroll taxes and is provided at no cost to the workers who receive the benefits.
  • Manatee 311 provides a central contact point for citizens to report an issue, request a service, seek information/referrals, and direct complaints, compliments and suggestions regarding government service.
  • Access 2-1-1 Human Services by phone, email, chat or text (just text your zip code to 898-211). Reaching out will get you connected to a multilingual 2-1-1 specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations providing critical services to improve and save lives.

FEDERAL

  • The Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a result of the disaster. These fixed interest rate loans, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years, are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Applicants can apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications by clicking here. Here is a one-page fact sheet on these loans to help you better understand how they work and whether they’re right for your business.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Businesses and Employers

STATE

LOCAL

  • Manatee County’s official coronavirus webpage will keep you up-to-date with official information for Manatee County. You can also follow Manatee County’s posts on social media.
  • Text ManateeReady to 888-777 to opt in and receive important updates from Manatee County officials.
  • The Florida Department of Health’s dedicated COVID-19 webpage is a great source of official information.
  • The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County also has a hotline that you can call at 941-242-6649. It is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The state’s dedicated 24-hour Call Center is available by calling (866) 779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
  • Tampa Bay Area SBDC Small Business Updates

Shop Local – Supporting Our Community
Support your local restaurants while maintaining social distancing by taking an order to go or purchasing a gift card for future use. A list of Manatee Chamber member restaurants with their carry-out, delivery, and gift card options is available online here.

If your business has online ordering of any kind, please be sure that information is on your homepage.

Chamber Events and Meetings
Following the CDC’s recommendation regarding gatherings, all in-person Chamber events and meetings are currently postponed through May 10, 2020. We will be in regular communication with our members as new dates are secured.

Society for Human Resource Management Common Questions re: Coronavirus and HR

Like your business, the Manatee Chamber is committed to the health and safety of our community. Together, we will meet this challenge. Thank you so much for everything you do for our community! We are here for you – it will take us all supporting each other and we’re here to help that happen.

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