Small business owners can now apply for PPP loan forgiveness: Everything to know
Two months after the federal government rolled out the Paycheck Protection Program, small business owners that tapped the coronavirus aid can officially have their loans forgiven.
Tampa grant money keeping residents, small businesses afloat as city begins to reopen
Barbecue boats are like barbecue sundaes because there are layers of barbecue goodies. It’s a specialty at Sarges Smokehouse BBQ in Tampa, where owner Ken Sebourn is doing his best to keep his business afloat.
Pinellas County gives breweries permission to open
Leaders in Pinellas County have given the green light for breweries to reopen -- with restrictions, of course.
Fed's Powell says new lending programs to launch by June 1
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that the central bank’s lending programs for medium-sized businesses and state and local governments will be operational by the end of this month.
City of Sarasota offering small businesses up to $5,000 in grants
Sarasota city officials will begin accepting applications for small business grants.
Census survey: Most small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
The new Small Business Pulse Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau highlighted the impact COVID-19 is having on small U.S. stores, retailers and businesses.
Local retail stores prepare to re-open under governor's 'phase one'
Starting Monday, retail stores can re-open, but owners must follow strict guidelines, including, customers maintaining a distance of six feet apart and owner only operating at 25 percent capacity.
Salon, gym owners wonder what's next after Florida's plan to reopen left them out
While some Florida businesses are preparing to reopen Monday as part of phase one of Governor Ron DeSantis’ Reopen Florida Task Force’s plan, others have been left in the dark.
Smallest businesses get a few hours at head of loan line
Smaller businesses that need coronavirus relief will get to move to the front of the line come Wednesday.
'We're not all going to survive this': Economic impact from COVID-19 forces salon owner to close
A salon owner in Champlin, Minnesota is feeling the fallout from the coronavirus first hand. After weeks of no customers, she's been forced to do something she never dreamed of: close her doors.
Small business loan program plagued by outages, delays as second wave of aid begins
E-Tran, the Small Business Administration's electronic system used to help process applications for government-backed aid, has suffered glitches amid the first wave of applicants.
Small businesses in Sarasota County can apply for a loan
Low-interest loans will be made available for small businesses directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Sarasota County.
Clearwater sign shop making ready-to-install dividers to keep retail workers, customers safe
Many small businesses are adapting during these tough economic times, trying to keep the doors open and paychecks moving.
St. Pete boat upholstery company converts production to PPE
The team at Island Nautical in St. Petersburg is usually hard at work making cushions and fabrics for boats and other outdoor uses, but now they're glad to be busy making gear that helps essential workers on the front lines of COVID-19.
Senate approves $483B virus aid deal, sends it to House
Passage was swift and unanimous, according to the Associated Press.
Wells Fargo, Chase sued over handling of Paycheck Protection Program loans
A series of lawsuits filed on Sunday on behalf of small business owners accuses some of the nation’s biggest banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, of unfairly allocating government-backed loans to certain small businesses.
Armature Works starts online ordering, curbside pickup Thursday
Armature Works, one of Tampa’s weekend hotspots, has been closed due to COVID-19, but this week, they're offering online orders and curbside pickup for some vendors.