TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) today announced “Building Brighter Futures,” a new strategic partnership between its Central Florida Chapter and Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) to help shape future hospitality leaders and strengthen the industry.

 Earlier this week, FRLA convened with the Culinary Educators of OCPS at the Valencia Downtown campus to unveil the collaborative initiative to enrich students’ educational journey for the 2023-2024 school year.

“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Orange County Public Schools,” said Dan Davis, President of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Central Florida Chapter. “Our combined efforts will empower students with the tools they need to thrive in the hospitality sector, ensuring a bright and promising future for the industry.”

Under the banner of this visionary partnership, both organizations are committed to providing OCPS students with invaluable opportunities for growth and development within the hospitality sector. The primary focus areas of this collaboration encompass internships, mentoring, and site visits, all deliberately designed to inspire and cultivate the emerging hospitality leaders of tomorrow.

“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to providing students with real-world learning experiences,” shared Shannon Latimer, District Coordinator of Career and Technical Education for Orange County Public Schools. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our students to learn from the best in the hospitality business.”

Key Highlights of the Building Brighter Futures Partnership Include the Following:

Internship Opportunities: OCPS students will gain access to hands-on, immersive internships within the vibrant Central Florida hospitality industry, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios and fostering a deeper understanding of the field.

Mentorship Programs: Seasoned professionals from FRLA’s Central Florida Chapter will serve as mentors, guiding students on their journey toward becoming accomplished hospitality leaders. Mentors will share their expertise, insights, and experiences, offering invaluable career guidance.

Educational Site Visits: Students will be welcomed at some of Central Florida’s most esteemed hospitality establishments. These visits will provide a firsthand look into the industry’s inner workings, sparking inspiration and passion for hospitality careers.

With a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent, fostering growth, and preparing the next generation of hospitality professionals, this partnership between the FRLA’s Central Florida Chapter and Orange County Public Schools signifies a momentous step forward. The 2023-2024 school year promises to be transformative for aspiring hospitality leaders as they gain the skills, knowledge, and contacts necessary to excel in this dynamic industry.

For more information on the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, please visit FRLA.org. For more information on Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), please visit https://www.ocps.net/.

About FRLA: 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 nearly $112 billion hospitality industry which represents 1.5 million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the 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 Safe Staff^® 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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Governor also calls on the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to approve the federal fisheries emergency declaration requested for Hurricane Ian nearly one year ago

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis requested the U.S. Secretary of Commerce issue a federal fisheries disaster declaration to help the fishing industry in the Big Bend area rebuild. This disaster declaration would provide access to federal funding, subject to appropriation, that would allow offshore, nearshore, and inshore fisheries to rebuild. Governor DeSantis’ letter requesting the declaration can be found here.

Governor DeSantis requested a similar federal fisheries disaster declaration following Hurricane Ian. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce has not approved the Governor’s request despite the nearly one year that has passed since Hurricane Ian. The Governor will continue to fight for Florida’s fishing industry and urges the federal government to approve the fisheries disaster declarations for both Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Idalia.

“The Big Bend’s fishing industry took a direct hit from Hurricane Idalia, and as a result, so did the many residents who make their livings on the water here,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “One of the most important keys to recovery is getting people back to work. I am calling on the federal government to help Floridians who depend on these fisheries get back on their feet.”

“The fishing industry is an economic driver for this part of Florida and it is important that the people who are dependent on the success of the fisheries are able to access federal funding to keep their businesses going,” said Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Providing people the resources they need to get back on their feet and back to work is the best way to support long-term recovery in the Big Bend region following Hurricane Idalia.”

Hurricane Idalia heavily impacted the fishing industry in the Big Bend area through loss of boat facilities, halting commercial and charter fishing and loss of product due to power outages. Additionally, tourism for fishing in the area will be impacted while the community rebuilds.

Florida leads the nation in the number of saltwater fishing anglers, generating a $9.2 billion impact on the State of Florida’s economy. Additionally, the dockside value of commercial fisheries is estimated at $244 million. The financial assistance from this disaster declaration would help replace fishermen’s lost income and rebuild their businesses and infrastructure.

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WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Idalia occurring on Aug. 27 and continuing.

“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Florida small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

The disaster declaration covers Citrus, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Suwannee, and Taylor counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Alachua, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, and Sumter in Florida; and Echols and Lowndes in Georgia.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 2.375% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.5% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement.

Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 % of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

“The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant benefit of SBA’s disaster loan program,” said SBA Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez, Jr. “I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding.”

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 18118.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to [email protected]. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster . Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Oct. 30, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 31, 2024.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. 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.

~ Businesses in 25 Florida counties are eligible to apply  ~

Tallahassee, FL – Today, FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Idalia. Survey responses will allow the state to expedite Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses.

Businesses can complete the survey online by visiting www.FloridaDisaster.biz and selecting “Hurricane Idalia” from the dropdown menu.

If you need additional assistance with your business, please call the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925. The hotline was activated on Sunday, August 27, 2023, and the hotline will be operational between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or you can email [email protected].

About FloridaCommerce

FloridaCommerce combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts, expediting economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities and promote economic resiliency. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.FloridaJobs.org.
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Today, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 23-175 (Amending Executive Order 23-171, Emergency Management – Tropical Storm Idalia), expanding the number of counties under a state of emergency in preparation for Tropical Storm Idalia from 46 counties to 49 counties. Counties now included in the executive order are:

Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla counties.

To read the full executive order, click here or read below:

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 23-175

(Amending Executive Order 23-171, Emergency Management – Hurricane Idalia)

WHEREAS, on August 26, 2023, I issued Executive Order 23-171, declaring a state of emergency for several counties in Florida due to the dangers presented by Invest 93L, a broad area of low pressure off the west coast of Central America; and

WHEREAS, on August 28, 2023, I issued Executive Order 23-172, amending Executive Order 23-171 by adding coastal and inland counties in Central and North Florida to the state of emergency; and

WHEREAS, as of 5:00 AM EDT on August 29, 2023, Tropical Storm Idalia strengthened into a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, and is moving northward over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico; and

WHEREAS, as of 5:00 AM EDT on August 29, 2023, Hurricane Idalia was approximately 175 miles southwest of the Dry Tortugas, Florida; and

WHEREAS, Hurricane Idalia is forecasted to become a major hurricane before making landfall along areas of the Florida Gulf Coast and the Florida Big Bend on August 30, 2023, and is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves across North Florida and into Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, working together with the National Hurricane Center to evaluate weather predictions, has determined that there is a continuing risk of dangerous storm surge, heavy rainfall, flash flooding, strong winds, hazardous seas, and isolated tomadic activity for the Florida Peninsula and portions of the Florida Big Bend; and

WHEREAS,  the threat posed by Hurricane Idalia requires that timely precautions must be taken to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of the people of Florida; and

WHEREAS, as the Governor of Florida, I am responsible to meet the dangers presented to the State of Florida and its people by this emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section l(a) of the Florida Constitution and by the Florida Emergency Management Act, as amended, and all other applicable laws, promulgate the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:

Section 1. Section 1 of Executive Order 23-171 is amended to read as follows:

Because of the foregoing conditions, which are projected to constitute a major disaster, I declare that a state of emergency exists in Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hemando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla Counties.

Section 2. Except as amended herein, Executive Order 23-171 is ratified and reaffirmed.

Sections. This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall expire upon the expiration of Executive Order 23-171

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