WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration is increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

“More than 3.7 million businesses employing more than 20 million people have found financial relief through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which provide low-interest emergency working capital to help save their businesses. However, the pandemic has lasted longer than expected, and they need larger loans. Many have called on SBA to remove the $150,000 cap. We are here to help our small businesses and that is why I’m proud to more than triple the amount of funding they can access ,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

Businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time.  SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date.  Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.

This new relief builds on SBA’s previous March 12, 2021 announcement that the agency would extend deferment periods for all disaster loans, including COVID-19 EIDLs, until 2022 to offer more time for businesses to build back. In order to shift all EIDL payments to 2022, SBA will extend the first payment due date for disaster loans made in 2020 to 24-months from the date of the note and to 18-months from the date of the note for all loans made in the calendar year 2021.

Questions about SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be emailed to [email protected] or directed to SBA’s Customer Service Center at
1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing).

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.­

Hospitality Association Praises Governor DeSantis’ opening of vaccines to all Florida adults beginning April 5

  TALLAHASSEE – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida residents age 40 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Monday, March 29, and all Florida residents age 18 and older will be eligible for the vaccine beginning April 5.

“From day one of the COVID-19 pandemic over a year ago, we have worked with Governor DeSantis and other state and federal leaders to help Florida’s hospitality industry through this difficult time,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA). “From business losses and plummeting consumer confidence to re-opening and recovery, FRLA has advocated every single day for policies and practices that would help our restaurants, hotels, and suppliers survive this crisis and begin to rebuild. Opening the vaccines to residents age 18 and older in the coming days is a huge victory for our hospitality industry, not just for our guests, but for our 1.5 million employees. On behalf of FRLA and Florida’s hospitality industry, we thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership throughout this emergency, for his support for our industry, and for opening up the vaccine eligibility to help us build consumer confidence and move forward.”

In Governor DeSantis’ press announcement, he encouraged all Floridians to pre-register at myvaccine.fl.gov. It stated that, once pre-registered, individuals will be contacted when the vaccine is available in their area. Floridians can also call the vaccine preregistration phone number for their county, listed here. To watch the Governor’s full video announcement, click here.

Tonight, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will be increasing the maximum amount small businesses and non-profit organizations can borrow through its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.

Starting the week of April 6, the SBA will be raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of working capital up to $150,000 to 24-months of working capital up to $500,000. According to the SBA, businesses that receive a loan subject to the current limits do not need to submit a request for an increase at this time.

SBA will reach out directly via email and provide more details about how businesses can request an increase closer to the April 6 implementation date. Any new loan applications and any loans in process when the new loan limits are implemented will automatically be considered for loans covering 24 months of economic injury up to a maximum of $500,000.

We will share more details as they become available.

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SBA Extends Deferment Period for all COVID-19 EIDL and Other Disaster Loans until 2022

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.

• All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note.
• All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.

Existing SBA disaster loans approved prior to 2020 in regular servicing status as of March 1, 2020, received an automatic deferment of principal and interest payments through December 31, 2020. This initial deferment period was subsequently extended through March 31, 2021. An additional 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments will be automatically granted to these borrowers. Borrowers will resume their regular payment schedule with the payment immediately preceding March 31, 2022, unless the borrower voluntarily continues to make payments while on deferment. It is important to note that the interest will continue to accrue on the outstanding balance of the loan throughout the duration of the deferment.

COVID-19 EIDL loans are offered at very affordable terms, with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizations, a 30-year maturity. Interest continues to accrue during the deferment period and borrowers may make full or partial payments if they choose.

In mid-February 2021, SBA reached a milestone in the success of the COVID-19 EIDL program, by approving over $200 billion in emergency funding in low-interest loans, providing working capital funds to small businesses, non-profits and agricultural businesses to survive the severe impacts of this catastrophic and historic period within the entire United States of America and its territories. SBA continues to approve over $500 million each week for the COVID-19 EIDL program.

TALLAHASSEE – Today, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) released a video in English and Spanish encouraging Floridians to show their community support to support Florida restaurants. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 600,000 Florida restaurant employees were furloughed or laid off. Businesses closed, and some never returned. In Florida, it is estimated that more than 10,000 restaurants have closed.

“No industry has been hit harder by COVID-19 than the hospitality industry,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA). “Florida is open for business, and our restaurants and hotels are eager to safely welcome guests and create those memorable experiences. Restaurants are the centers of our communities, and we hope you will dine in or take out to support your local restaurants, enabling them to stay open and keep their team members employed.”

In the summer of 2020, FRLA launched its Seal of Commitment (SOC) program to recognize an establishment’s tangible commitment to the highest standards of safety and sanitation. The SOC is a demonstration to guests and associates that the operator prioritizes their health and safety. Hospitality establishments across Florida have earned the Seal. For more information, click here.

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees.

Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of its membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through SafeStaff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.

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On Friday, the United States and European Union agreed to suspend all tariffs related to the dispute over Boeing and Airbus subsidies. The four-month suspension will result in the removal of tariffs on agricultural, industrial, and consumer products worth $11.5 billion including wine, whiskey, cheese, olives, nuts, and other food items from the EU.

Removing these tariffs is a big win for the restaurant industry and will help restaurants begin to recover amid the pandemic and resulting shutdowns. Suspension of the tariffs also marks a first step towards improving our trade partnerships with the EU and will allow the time and space to create a more permanent negotiated solution.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) this week released updated FAQs for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well an updated Interim Final Rule (IFR). The IFR clarifies certain maximum loan calculation scenarios for individuals who file IRS Form 1040 Schedule Cs and eligibility requirements for business owners with felony convictions and delinquent federal student debt. The FAQs are updated to address a number of scenarios related to the PPP Second Draw program and other specific eligibility scenarios.

Documents are linked in the text above.

Additional COVID-19 Funds to Local Area Agencies on Aging Will Provide More Meals and Meal Services

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., — The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) distributed more than 16 million home-delivered meals last year following the onset of COVID-19. That number represents an increased distribution of over 200 percent for nearly five months, compared to the number of meals served during periods of non-emergency. As DOEA and the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) increased the number of home-delivered meals, the Aging Network simultaneously partnered with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in launching the Feeding Older Floridians Restaurant Meal Initiative that contributed over 3.5 million meals to Florida seniors during the same time period.

Now, DOEA is reinforcing the successful home-delivered meal programs. An additional $12.7 million in federal funding has been distributed to the 11 AAAs throughout the state to address the needs of older Floridians who remain affected by COVID-19.

“The state of Florida remains focused on the Seniors First initiative and that includes ensuring older adults have safe access to food through home-delivered meals,” said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. “We’ve already been a model for the nation in making sure older individuals are prioritized for receiving vaccinations. The innovative meal programs launched by DOEA further our efforts to keep seniors first. The State of Florida and DOEA have afforded providers unprecedented program flexibility in service delivery, and the advancement of these programs helps us continue to meet those critical needs.”

“Florida’s Aging Network has shown extraordinary resourcefulness in response to COVID-19,” said DOEA Secretary Richard Prudom. “The launch of the Feeding Older Floridians Restaurant Meal Initiative and the tremendous expansion of home-delivered meals by the AAAs allowed seniors to continue to receive nutritious meals and provided a reduction in social isolation. We’re grateful to be continuing these hallmark programs established as new solutions to new demands. The Aging Network’s development of these new business models is a commitment to effective and efficient programs that support Florida’s senior population.”

“The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) and restaurants across our great state have been proud to participate in this important meal initiative to meet the needs of Florida seniors,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our restaurants have stepped up to help fill the critical need for senior meals, and the extension of this program will continue to allow seniors to have increased access to hot, nutritious meals from the safety of their home while simultaneously helping to support Florida’s restaurants.”

The additional funding will allow extension of various meal delivery projects including the Feeding Older Floridians Restaurant Meal Initiative, drive-through meals, and grab-and-go meals for older adults who remain homebound.  The continuation of these programs allows DOEA and the Aging Network to provide real-time responses to meet the needs of Florida’s elders.

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About the Florida Department of Elder Affairs

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the State Unit on Aging, helps Florida’s elders to remain healthy, safe, and independent. The Department provides most direct services through its Division of Statewide Community-Based Services, the state’s eleven Area Agencies on Aging, and local service providers to deliver essential services to a vital segment of the population. For more information, please visit www.elderaffairs.org.