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Cocoa Ready to Launch
The City of Cocoa is working with local business owners to gather ideas and information on how they plan to safely re-open their businesses. Cocoa City Council approved a resolution to allow for the expansion of outdoor dining options and signage options to aid the economic recovery efforts of Cocoa Businesses and market the safe re-opening efforts of our local small businesses. In accordance with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ Florida Economic Recovery Plan, the City of Cocoa will work with local business owners to promote the safe re-opening of Cocoa businesses. As the State and City prepare to reopen and with guidance from the CDC and the Governor, this page will be updated with resources and tools to help our local business owners. Contact Angela Essing, Economic Development Manager at 321-433-8522 for more information.
- Open for Business
- COVID-19 Business Resources
- Florida's Recovery Plan
- CDC Guidelines for Re-opening Businesses
In a key step towards the road to recovery, the City of Cocoa is dedicated to assisting our small business owners with the re-opening of local businesses in Cocoa. By working together, we can ensure that our community is safe for business to resume following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Cocoa is open for business and businesses are ensuring that their locations are safe for their customers.
- Request social media graphics like the one above that can be personalized to your business by emailing 2-3 photos to Cocoa’s Digital Communications Coordinator, Rachel Horst, at rhorst@cocoafl.org. An ’Open for Business’ frame is also available on our Facebook page and can be added to your Facebook profile picture. Be sure to use the hashtags: #ShopLocal #ShopCocoa #CocoaReadytoLaunch
- Request Cocoa’s ’We’re Open for Business’ stickers (shown below) to hand out to your customers or display on your business window by emailing rhorst@cocoafl.org.
Small Business Administration: Paycheck Protection Program
The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT.
More information from the U.S. Small Business Administration regarding the Paycheck Protection Program.
Florida nonprofits can apply through the Florida Community Loan Fund.
Reemployment Assistance
Reemployment Assistance benefits are available to Floridians who have been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. Eligible individuals include those who have lost their job through no fault of their own, are quarantined by a medical professional or a government agency, laid off or sent home without pay for an extended period by their employer, or caring for an immediate family member who is diagnosed with COVID-19.
Reemployment Assistance benefits, formerly known as Unemployment Compensation, can be filed online: www.floridajobsresources.com
Historic Cocoa Village Business Links
Online Marketplace
Business Listing
Small Business Grant Information
Learn more about whether your small business might qualify for some of these $5,000 to $10,000 grants and find out how you can apply today.
Information on Governor DeSantis’ Essential Services and Activities During COVID-19 Emergency Executive Order (20-91) :
- Executive Order (20-91) regarding essential services and activities during COVID-19 emergency
- Essential Services information & FAQs from Florida Chamber of Commerce
- A list of essential services can be found on the Florida Division of Emergency Management COVID-19 page
- Guidance on the essential critical Infrastructure workforce from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Information from the State of Florida:
Governor Ron DeSantis has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury from COVID-19. The application period opens tomorrow, March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020. For more information, visit https://www.flgov.com/2020/03/16/governor-ron-desantis-activates-emergency-bridge-loan-program-for-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19/.
The CDC also has resources for businesses and employers.
Information from the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce:
FL Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & Paycheck Protection Loan
Florida Bridge Loan - $50K to $100K, one year balloon payback, no interest. Short term, interest free working capital loans, not a grant. Need the following: 2 years completed personal tax returns, 2 years business tax returns, evidence of economic injury (usually that means a YTD Profit and Loss showing the revenue loss), evidence of 2 to 100 employees. Either apply online or mail to the central location. (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 107 E. Madison Street, MSC-160, Tallahassee, FL 32399-4120)
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) - Up to $2M, up to 30 years, can be used to pay back the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan. Apply directly at the SBA. There is also a grant aspect of this where if you apply the SBA will provide some money up front.
NOTE: all of the details relating to the immediate grant funds may not be available since the CARES act just passed.
SBA Paycheck Protection Loan – this is an SBA 7A loan where businesses would apply at a bank. Not all the lenders are noted yet, but we suggest you start at the bank that you are doing business with. Details are still be finalized.
Inside the CARES Act: Emergency EIDL Grants
Many businesses are calling and eager to learn more about the granting portion of the CARES Act. Here is what we know so far, but keep in mind the implementation of this is still being worked out.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act, which provided additional assistance for small business owners and non-profits, including the opportunity to get up to a $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). This Advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.
Those entities include small businesses, sole proprietors, private non-profits, independent contractors, cooperatives, ESOPs, and tribal units, all with under 500 employees that apply for loans in response to the COVID-19. Upon verification, the government, through lending institutions that work with the SBA, will provide grants up to $10,000. The applying entity has to have been in business for at least a year, which may be waived, but certainly before January 31, 2020.
If you wish to apply for the Advance on your EIDL, please use the link below and fill out the form as soon as possible. In order to qualify for the Advance, you need to submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing application.
Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
COVID-19 Business Resources
Below are some resources that may assist or inform you, your family and employees during this uncertain time. For more resources visit: CocoaBeachChamber.com/covid-19/
Governor Ron DeSantis issues Phase 1 of Florida’s Recovery Plan
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Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA)
Physical Address
65 Stone Street
Cocoa, FL 32922
Phone: (321) 433-8577
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Charlene Neuterman
Community Services DirectorPhone: (321) 433-8509