Impact Update for Thursday, August 12 |
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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, programming options, local highlights and industry news below.
Jason Siegel
President & CEO
Greater Orlando Sports Commission
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“Your reputation is what people say about you. Your character is what God knows about you.”
- Bobby Bowden
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Orange County Mayor Demings, Orlando Mayor Dyer and Dr. Pino from the Dept. of Health in Orange County along with partners from the Orlando Economic Partnership, Visit Orlando, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando launched a public safety initiative to combat COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. This is a county-wide initiative to debunk myths, highlight trusted voices and drive home the true benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more at ocfl.net/IGotMyShot. #IGotMyShot
Local Resources.
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Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
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City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
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Lake County: Homepage
- City of Orlando:
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The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
- Orange County:
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Mayor Demings lifts the mask mandate for Orange county.
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The #IGotMyShot mobile vaccination trailer continues to visit neighborhoods and businesses throughout Orange County. For next week’s schedule, or for more information about the #IGotMyShot campaign, visit ocfl.net/IGotMyShot.
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Orange County Health Services announced its COVID-19 vaccine operations transferred from Barnett Park to Camping World Stadium as of Tuesday, August 10. Camping World Stadium will administer the Pfizer or one-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine seven days a week from 9am-5pm.
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Orange County has launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program with more than $33 million in federal funds to help with rent assistance for predominantly low-income and qualified residents. Program and eligibility details can be found at ocfl.net/EmergencyRentalAssistance.
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CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
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The Orange County Library System offers Right Service at the Right Time, a free online tool and 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.
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Osceola County:
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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:
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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. Click here for more information.
- Seminole County:
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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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SBA launches $100M Community Navigator Pilot Program. Applications are being accepted through July 12th.
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The CDC has issued updated COVID-19 guidance, freeing fully-vaccinated Americans to gather indoors in small groups without masks or social distancing, even with unvaccinated people.
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The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.
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Orlando Health has a website specifically designed for the business community. 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. 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 a Small Business Assistance Fund which provides up to $2,500 in utility assistance for small businesses facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. Aid is in the form of a credit adjustment on your next OUC bill.
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The US Small Business Association is accepting applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant, which provides critical economic relief program for live venues, museums, movie theatres and more. Businesses interested in seeking assistance can contact Orlando Economic Partnership's BRACE team for guidance.
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The African American Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Enterprise, Inc. to present a webinar series designed to educate minority and small businesses regarding information integral to growth and success. Each 1 hour long session will provide small business owners, staff and team members who support them with the resources needed to create, maintain and grow a successful business. Sessions run through August 25, 2021.
Stay Engaged.
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Amway Center is hosting its second job fair this Saturday, August 14, from 12-4pm. The arena and its partners are seeking professionals who desire to work in a fast-paced and fun environment during concerts, family shows and sporting events.
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Art After Dark is back this Saturday, August 14! Festivities for the Downtown Arts District’s semi-formal soiree for young professionals includes interactive art experiences, meet & greet opportunities with special guest artists, live music, photo opportunities, a silent auction, craft cocktails, and gourmet lite bites from local restaurants. Purchase your tickets now before they sell out!
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Don't miss the Orlando Regional Chamber's 2021 AWE Impact Forum on Thursday, August 19. Featuring keynote speaker Quibulah Graham, Corporate Director of Diversity and Minority Business Development at Orlando Health, this collaborative event will raise awareness of the regional resources that help propel women forward.
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It’s Orlando Magazine's 75th anniversary and they are celebrating in style with a citywide Best of ORL Scavenger Hunt from August 1-31! Anyone can participate in this interactive game to win fun prizes hidden throughout the city - sign up here to view the rules and receive clues via email.
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Take a stroll through Gaston Edwards Park on Saturday, August 14 and browse through goods from over 20 local vendors at this pop-up market.
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Orlando’s gourmet dining scene takes center stage thanks to Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, running from Aug. 27 through Oct. 3, 2021! Now in its 16th year, the popular culinary event features top Orlando-area restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus for just $37 per person - including many options for open-air dining and takeout.
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Orlando will host the return of the Red Bull BC One competition on August 20-22 this year, featuring some of the world’s best breakers, dancers, and hip-hop enthusiasts.
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Every Saturday from 9am-2pm, the West Lakes neighborhood hosts a community farmers market at nearby Barker Park. This resident-run market features fresh produce, prepared foods and other must-have items from locally-owned businesses.
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Think you’ve tried all the best hole in the wall restaurants in town? Here’s a roundup of 26 Central Florida restaurants you have to try at least once.
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Experience Mother Nature’s beauty on a budget with free (or nearly free) admission to these local gardens.
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SeaWorld Orlando's debuts Howl-O-Scream. The theme park's first ever themed Halloween special.
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Help the Orlando City SC license plate become a reality by purchasing your pre-sale voucher today! In order to be manufactured, the organization must sell at least 3,000 presale vouchers within 24 months.
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Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
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Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages as well as select dates for Halloween Horror Nights.
“USA Volleyball is thrilled to be bringing the USA Volleyball Open National Championship back to Orlando in 2022. Visit Orlando, the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, and the Orange County Convention Center always prove to be wonderful hosts for our athletes, officials, coaches and fans. I am sure that in addition to experiencing the best volleyball has to offer in the United States that our group will thoroughly enjoy their stay in the destination.”
-Jamie Davis, President & CEO
USA Volleyball
See USA Volleyball story below...
Around The Horn.
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USA Volleyball has selected Orlando to host the 2022 USA Volleyball Open National Championship, May 27-June 1, 2022 at the Orange County Convention Center. The event was last held in Orlando in 2016 with a record number of 578 teams in attendance. USA Volleyball also operates the Sunshine Classic Girls Junior National Qualifier annually in Orlando in early spring.
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Say “Aloha” to the 2022 Hula Bowl, a college football all-star game that is temporarily moving from Hawaii to UCF’s Spectrum Stadium.
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Orlando City wades into international waters on Thursday with a first-ever match against a non-domestic opponent as the Lions host Santos Laguna in the first round of the Leagues Cup.
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The Orlando Magic’s president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman announced that the team has hired Nate Tibbetts, Jesse Mermuys, Dale Osbourne, Bret Brielmaier and Lionel Chalmers as assistant coaches on head coach Jamahl Mosley’s staff.
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The Orlando Pride were looking for depth in attacking options when they signed Jodie Taylor in July, and the new striker already has delivered in her opening three matches with the club.
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Construction crews remain hard at work at Camping World Stadium as the latest round of upgrades to the venue continue to take shape.
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When J.R. Smith retired from the NBA after 16 years, it seemed as if his athletic career had come to its natural conclusion. However, the two-time NBA champion who entered the league straight out of high school is starting fresh at 35 years old. He is enrolling at North Carolina A&T, a historically Black university, and is considering competing for the school's Division I golf team.
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Lionel Messi finalized agreement on his Paris Saint-Germain contract and arrived in the French capital on Tuesday to complete the move that confirms the end of a career-long association with Barcelona.
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Bobby Bowden, whose homespun charm and coaching savvy turned the Florida State Seminoles into a football superpower, died Sunday morning. He was 91.
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The Olympic Games in Tokyo saw the world united through the power of sport, positivity and hope. Olympians amazed with spine-tingling sporting performances, passion and heart-warming moments of sportsmanship. Relive all the emotions in the Olympic Channel's new film, and see just how strong we are – together.
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In The News.
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A new Disney regional hub in Orlando’s Lake Nona community will be home to more than 2,000 professional jobs relocating from California, the company revealed. The move to the Orlando campus is expected to take place through the end of next year.
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Summer may be over, but free breakfast, lunch and dinner will keeping coming for students in Orange County, regardless of eligibility. That's 75% of students, according to the senior director of food and nutrition at OCPS.
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From the Orlando Business Journal: Brightline's potential use of part of Central Florida's commuter rail corridor may bring more infrastructure work to the region.
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Orlando-based company Connected Wise LLC believes everyday traffic infrastructure can be tweaked to accommodate self-driving vehicles — and it just won government funds to prove it.
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Universal Orlando passholders are in for a few treats during Passholder Appreciation Days, which include early park entry, special magnets, and more.
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Check out the new race medals for Disney’s wickedly delicious RunDisney Wine and Dine Weekend.
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Meet Frank Bailey, the founder of Grow Orlando, an organization that teaches kids how to grow their own foods in an attempt to fight ‘food apartheid’.
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The Enzian is giving moviegoers a chance to see how the sausage is made during their Meet the Filmmaker series, which will include a movie screening followed by a Q&A.
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Everyone’s favorite hot-headed chef Gordon Ramsay has officially opened his Fish & Chips restaurant on I-Drive.
Fun & Games.
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