FRIDAY ROUND-UP
April is recognized as Diversity month. 

I found this article on LinkedIn written by Chantell M. Garrett, sharing different ways to celebrate this month. One suggestion from Garrett reinforces our mantra to #shoplocal – but maybe focus on minority owned businesses this month. One source for Lee County is GreenBook Lee. Also, Edison Mall is hosting the inaugural SWFL Black Expo, a free to the public event, highlighting minority businesses of all types in the SWFL area April 9, April 10, and April 11.

Another quick read is this article from Inc.com by Liana Douillet Guzman, “How 2020 Changed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion For Good". 

If you are interested in being part of the Equity Committee of the Chamber, please call or email me. We meet the first Friday of the month at 8:00am.

If you have been waiting until after season to attend the FutureMakers Coalition’s “Intro to a Conversation about Structural Racism & Implicit Bias”, there are 2 programs scheduled in April, April 16 and April 23. It is the best 2 hours you can spend this month – bring a friend.  
Here are legislative updates as of April 8, 2021.

VISIT FLORIDA - HB675/SB778
The Chamber supports these bills and we are monitoring.

TOURIST & CONVENTION DEVELOPMENT TAXES - HB1429/SB2008
HB1429 has passed through the house but SB2008 has not moved through the first committee and will “probably” not be heard. This could end up in the Tax Package as a way to get this moving but for now, we are monitoring the bills and will keep you updated. The Chamber does not support the proposed changes and has developed this position statement and has written letters to members of both committees. The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce supports preserving the current uses of Tourist Development Taxes and opposes any expansion of those uses outside of current tourism marketing activities .

COVID LIABILITY PROTECTION – This bill provides liability protections for businesses, educational institutions, and health care facilities that have substantially complied with governmental health and safety guidelines to keep employees, customers, and patients safe. This bill was signed by the Governor on March 29. Thank you to the Chamber Board and Member Advocacy Committee for taking on this issue!

MAIN STREET FAIRNESS – HB15/SB50
SB50 was passed by the Senate last week and HB15 was heard on the House floor on April 7 and April 8 and passed. As a reminder, these bills would increase state revenue from an online sales tax that has always been due but will finally be collected. This revenue will offset a looming $713 million
unemployment tax increase.  This creative solution combines top priorities this legislative session by leveling the playing field for main street businesses and avoiding a significant tax increase on Florida’s job creators. 


*click the pic of "Bill" for a refresher course on How a Bill Becomes a Law.
From the SBA:

The SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATOR'S GRANT (SVOG) application portal opened on April 8. Here are some key resources to prepare your SVOG application:


Please be sure to keep saving your work and copying answers into a WORD or email document, in case the new portal goes down temporarily.

TARGETED EIDL ADVANCE: The SBA is launching a new round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advances - called Targeted EIDL Advance - which provides eligible businesses with $10,000 in total grant assistance. If you received the EIDL Advance last year in an amount less than $10,000, you may be eligible to receive the difference up to the full $10,000. The combined amount of the Targeted EIDL Advance and any previously received Advance will not exceed $10,000. 

Businesses eligible for the Targeted EIDL Advance must meet ALL the following eligibility criteria: 

  • Located in a low-income community. To help applicants determine if they are located in a low-income community, as defined in section 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, the SBA is making available a mapping tool. Note that the business address must be located in a low-income community to qualify for the Targeted EIDL Advance)

  • Suffered economic loss greater than 30 percent, as demonstrated by an 8-week period beginning on March 2, 2020, or later, compared to the previous year. 

  • Must have 300 or fewer employees.

The SBA's goal is to process all requests within 21 days of receiving a completed application. All application decisions will be communicated via email. 
We are hosting a virtual 5K in May presented by Lee Health.

Complete 5K over 5 days. Start your walk or run on 5/5. Finish by 5/9. $25 per person. $15 for ages 12-18. Free for kids under 5+5+1.

I'll be walking in Lakes Park in the mornings - if you'd like to walk together send me a message. Linda will be walking in SE Cape Coral (very much NOT in the mornings). Send her an email if you'd like to meet up for sunset strolls.

We're hosting a 5K kick-off "Beers With Your Peers" event on Tuesday, May 4 from 5:00-7:00PM at Palm City Brewing, sponsored by Collins Vision. The party is $15 and includes one complimentary beverage. Cash bar is available.

SPECIAL OFFER: attend the kick-off party and register for the 5K for only $35 (includes a 5K t-shirt)!

Last week I shared information on podcasts and heard back from a few of you on some that I missed:  

From Jackie Parker, VCB Shellcast, the podcast that is a beach break for your ears! 

From Tessa LeSage, 3 Song Stories, Biography Through Music - so many familiar names here, you will enjoy this one!

I hope you all have a great weekend – I am heading over the East Coast to take Elizbeth and some of her “soon to be graduating” friends out for a few meals and a little bit of sunshine…will take recommendations for good craft breweries near or in Ft. Lauderdale if you have them! 
 
Take care of yourself and #shoplocal! 
 
Colleen