Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Halsey Beshears shares insight on the state of Florida efforts currently underway in support of businesses of all sizes.
The Orlando Economic Partnership’s top priority is to keep the business community informed and prepared and help individuals and organizations obtain the needed resources currently available as we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Responding to COVID-19 Webinar Series: State Action & the Impact on the Business Community is the second installment of a series of webinars focused on sharing guidance on how best to respond to the realities of COVID-19. Participants from the Orlando business community joined John Davis, executive vice president of the Orlando Regional Chamber, and Sharon Smoley, Partnership vice president of advocacy and public policy, for a discussion on the resources available to help the Orlando business community adapt to the public health and economic realities of COVID-19.
This edition of the webinar series featured guest speaker Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Halsey Beshears who shared his insight on the state of Florida efforts currently underway in support of businesses of all sizes.
For detailed information and resources for your business’ response to COVID-19, please visit Online Business Resource Center at Orlando.org/covid19
Key Takeaways
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) focuses solely on supporting small businesses.
Emergency Orders Issued by the DBPR
DBPR EO 2020-01: For the holder of any license, permit, registration, or certificate issued by the Department, renewals will be suspended for 30 days from the existing renewal deadline unless extended by subsequent order. No late fee will be charged during the tolled period.
DBPR EO 2020-02: Personal protective equipment (PPE) are permitted to be used past their expiration date. PPE is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries or illnesses, some examples include respirators and surgical masks. Given the dangers presented by COVID-19, those dangers outweigh the known and potential risks of a PPE even when the expiration date has passed.
DBOR EO 2020-03: All time requirements, notice requirements, deadlines for final agency action on applications for permits, licenses, rates, and other approvals under said statutes or rules, as well as other time requirements that have not yet expired, are suspended and tolled through May 31, 2020 unless extended by subsequent order.
Employee Retention
Small business owners are encouraged to find ways to keep employees, possibly through reduced hours. For financial support, currently there are a few options out there.
- Businesses with fewer than 50 employees qualify for $50,000 at 0% interest: https://floridadisasterloan.org/
- The SBA is offering for businesses with 5-100 employees up to $2,000,000 at 0% that can be amortized up to 30 years: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index
Both these links as well as more resources are provided on the DBPR emergency website:
Executive Order regarding restaurants
Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 2020-71 entails the closure of all restaurants, bars and gyms. For businesses, food and drink can be ordered to-go. For small business restaurant owners, alcohol is permitted for selling to-go if it is in a sealed container. Information on further orders or guidance for governors orders can also be found on the DBPR emergency website: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/emergency/
DBPR Message
The DBPR is constantly working on ways to support small businesses and keep them in business. The Department encourages the continued support for the governor and his initiatives, supporting small businesses and occupational licenses and practicing healthy habits.
Finding new innovative ideas to provide support and assistance is at the forefront of all DBPR operations. If small businesses have potential inventive ideas to address the crisis, DBPR encourages business owners to call their legislators.
About the Guest Speaker
Halsey Beshears
Secretary, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
Secretary Halsey Beshears leads the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the agency tasked with licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in the State of Florida. Their mission is to serve the residents of Florida by licensing over one million businesses that drive our state’s economy. Secretary Beshears served as a State Representative from Florida’s Seventh District from 2013-2019 and was appointed to his role by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. During his tenure as a Representative, he served as Chair of the Business and Professional subcommittee.
Related Websites
