We Are Here For Your Hollywood Business

The City of Hollywood’s Office of Communications, Marketing & Economic Development (CMED) is open for business, compiling information to assist Hollywood businesses throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We encourage you to check the City of Hollywood’s webpage, sign up for City and Business email/text updates, and follow us on Facebook. Our team is available to talk you through any of your business-related issues. Contact us at 954.921.3620 or by email. 

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Show Your Love for Broward - County Launches Census 2020 Workforce Campaign

The County is leading a countywide campaign encouraging all employers, large and small, to dedicate 10-15 minutes for employees to complete the 2020 Census.

As Broward County’s census response rates are stagnating, the campaign presents a unique opportunity to engage various industries and workforce organizations within Broward County to improve the County’s response rates.

While the campaign will run for the entire month of August, the week of action is from Monday, August 10th through Sunday, August 16th. Participating businesses will be featured on Broward County’s social media and/or website. Just email the name of your business or organization and the number of employees that completed the census to Census2020@Broward.org

The decennial census is crucial to our democracy and fair representation in Congress. It helps to determine how more than $1.5 trillion/year in federal funds are distributed. An undercount would mean the loss of millions of dollars in Broward County and would severely impact funding for schools and nutrition programs, hospitals and nursing homes, roads and highways, emergency preparedness and services, and other vital programs for the next 10 years.

The 2020 Census’ detailed demographic information holds exceptional value to businesses which help inform decisions to expand, develop products, market, hire, mitigate risk, and increase return on investment.

Help support the County’s efforts to count everyone in Broward, from newborns to older adults and everyone in between. Pledge to complete the 2020 Census by August 31st.

Visit Broward.org/Census2020 for more information and downloadable campaign graphics to share with employees.

To respond to the census now, visit my2020census.gov.

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Free Business Assistance Programs For City Residents And Business Owners

The City of Hollywood’s Office of Communications, Marketing + Economic Development has recently entered into a partnership with Broward SCORE to provide educational and advisory services to City residents and small business owners through December 2020.  

This partnership is a part of the City’s “Backing Business” initiative, as these supportive programs aim to help the City’s economy grow during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Resources available to the City’s start-up and small business community include:

	Business Acceleration Team: A team of three experienced business professionals will meet with your small business management team virtually and provide in-depth consulting services on your project of choice. The teams usually meet 3 or 4 times with the goal of establishing an action plan to address the project. Eligible businesses should have at least 2 owners / managers and 3 employees / independent contractors.
	One-on-One Business Mentoring: Broward SCORE offers personal remote mentoring sessions with local seasoned business professionals who are committed to helping our local business community stronger through these difficult times. Book your phone or video mentoring session online. Sessions are typically one-hour in length. Prepare to discuss any opportunities or problems your business may be facing.
	Business Education Program: Workshops on a diversity of business topics are scheduled throughout the remainder of the year and will be offered virtually utilizing a live webinar format. Many of the webinars will focus on pandemic recovery topics and led by local business professionals with specific knowledge on starting and running businesses in Broward County and the City of Hollywood.

Founded in 1964, Broward SCORE is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) with over 70 volunteer mentors, workshop presenters, and business support personnel.  The chapter offers a diverse program of business support services throughout the year and is provided at no-cost to start-ups, existing businesses, or those who are thinking of starting a business.  More information on these exciting new programs can be found here: https://broward.score.org/city-hollywood-cmed

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Broward County Emergency Order - Curfew, Signage and Short Term Rental Restrictions Now In Effect

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb, along with positivity rates. Broward County is now posting a daily statistical dashboard of COVID-19 indicators (e.g. number of cases, positivity rates, hospitalizations, hospital capacities, and deaths).

County Administrator Bertha Henry has also issued Emergency Order 20-22, which implements new restrictions to help curtail large social gatherings, including house parties, street parties and other activities that are contributing to community spread of the virus:

• Private Gatherings – Effective immediately, private gatherings at a residential property, single-family or otherwise, indoors and/or outdoors, are limited to no more than 10 individuals. Persons present at such gatherings shall be individually liable for violations of this Order and subject to civil and criminal penalties. The owner(s) of the residential property are also liable for violations that occur on their property, whether or not they are in residence or on site at the time of the violation. Residents of any private residential property, whether they own or rent, must ensure all persons on their property comply with the guidelines, subject to civil and criminal penalties.
• Vacation Rentals – Short-term vacation rentals that are not actively managed by on-site owners or on-site management companies with staffing or security on site 24 hours a day to enforce compliance with all the requirements, are not permitted to operate, effective for check-ins commencing on or after July 20, 2020 through August 20, 2020.
• Restaurant Operations –  Ordering food or beverage from a bar counter is strictly prohibited. Effective immediately, restaurant patrons must order and consume food and drinks at a table, following all other requirements as outlined in previously issued operating guidelines.
• Gym and Fitness Center Operations – Effective immediately,all persons shall wear a facial covering at all times while using or visiting a gym or fitness center, including while exercising.
• Signage Requirements – Effective July 20, 2020 at 12:01AM, owners, operators and landlords of commercial property at which any retail, restaurant or food establishment is located must ensure compliance by those establishments with the signage requirements of Emergency Order 20-17, and must also ensure the required signage is conspicuously posted in common areas of the property such as mall entrances, food courts and hallways.

Individuals in our community have a personal responsibility to adhere to the guidelines and do their part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new Order strongly recommends that any person who tests positive for COVID-19, or who is experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, immediately:

• self-isolate to the greatest extent possible and avoid contact with any other person
• avoid visiting establishments and amenities except when medically necessary
• avoid use of common areas such as shared kitchens, laundry rooms or recreational facilities, especially in shared housing or multi-housing developments

Businesses in our community must adhere to the guidelines governing their operations, and patrons of reopened business are encouraged to report violations, which may result in warnings, citations, fines and/or business closures. Through August 5, County and municipal code and law enforcement teams have issued 171 citations and 1,172 warnings. Residents are urged to call 311 or visit MyBroward.Broward.org to anonymously report violations.


The new Order also updates the following attachments for business guidance: Attachment 2 (Restaurants and Food Establishments), Attachment 5 (Movie Theaters); Attachment 6 (Community Rooms, Fitness Centers and Gyms in Housing Developments); and Attachment 14 (Commercial Gyms and Fitness Centers).

For updates on county orders go to: Broward.org/Coronavirus
For City of Hollywood Information go to: www.hollywoodfl.org

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Public Dashboard Tracks Local COVID-19 Business Complaints

Residents can see if businesses are following emergency guidelines

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Florida, Broward County has launched a new tool to help residents ensure they are doing everything they can to contribute to a safer, healthier community and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Broward County’s Planning and Development Management Division has launched a public-facing dashboard of COVID-19 complaints about businesses not following sanitation, social distancing, facial covering and other reopening requirements contained in local Emergency Orders. The GIS-based website displays details about business complaints received, including:

• Name and location of businesses reported to be in violation
• Number and type of warnings and citations issued
• Complaint Outcomes (i.e. Warning Issued, Citation Issued, Resolved, or Pending Inspection)

The database is searchable by Commission District, and by municipality, making it easy for residents to find out if a business they plan on patronizing is observing all the requirements of the Emergency Orders.

According to the dashboard, the most common type of violation is Failure to Follow Social Distancing. Other types of violations include Not Approved to Reopen, Not Following Sanitation Requirements; Not Following Appointment Guidelines, and Allowing More than 50% Indoor Capacity.

Residents are encouraged to bookmark the dashboard at http://arcg.is/1riWfH and visit it frequently for updates in your area.

Residents are reminded, especially over the holiday weekend, to celebrate responsibly. Follow social distancing and facial covering guidelines whenever and wherever possible, even at family gatherings. If you observe that a business is not following the preventive guidelines, you can report it anonymously online at MyBroward.Broward.org, or call 311.

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Free Face Masks & Facial Shields For Businesses

As part of the City of Hollywood’s "Backing Business" initiative, each Hollywood business may pick up a maximum of (20) free masks and (10) free facial shields (while supplies last) in Room #203, City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Blvd, Monday through Thursday, 7AM-6PM.

These COVID-19 supplies are also available from the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) if your business is located within the CRA Beach or Downtown District.

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COVID-19 Safety Posters

As part of its Backing Business initiative, the City of Hollywood has created COVID-19 Safety Posters.

Hotels and Motels: Click here to download 

Other Businesses: Click here to download

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City of Hollywood: Backing Business - Temporary Café Zones

The purpose of the Temporary Café Zone expansion is to back the City’s restaurant businesses that have been heavily impacted by COVID-19 mitigation measures, and provide these businesses with the opportunity to expand their dining areas using outdoor spaces.

The use of Temporary Café Zones requires restaurants to register online, which includes submitting a registration form with supporting documents (indemnification form and proof of insurance), along with other requirements. To learn more and apply for Temporary Café Zones, please click here.

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Phase 1 of Reopening Hollywood Businesses

On May 18, 2020, Broward County joined into the State’s Phase 1 Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Under the Phase 1 order, some businesses previously closed, or open only for certain activities, have reopened with restrictions. These businesses include:

• Professional Services
• Restaurants and Food Establishments
• Personal Services (such as barbershops and salons)
• Drive-In Movie Theaters
• Community Rooms, Fitness Centers and Gyms in Housing Developments
• Public Community Pools and Private Club Pools
• Museums

Click here to learn more about the businesses that may reopen and the restrictions that must be followed.

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The City of Hollywood has compiled this list of PPE vendors.

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Important Update: Business Assistance Programs

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & EIDL Advance program.  

Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act Fact Sheets: CLICK HERE

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EIDL Application Portal Is Open

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19.

This advance of up to $10K may be available to small business owners and non-profits, and will be forgiven. Please complete the online EIDL application as soon as possible if you wish to apply for the EIDL program or EIDL advance.

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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - Loan Forgiveness

AICPA’s List of Recommendations For PPP Loan Forgiveness 

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has outlined the steps businesses should take to maximize PPP loan forgiveness. Review these steps now to prepare for loan forgiveness at the end of the 8-week covered period.

Among other suggestions for loan forgiveness, the AICPA urges that:

1. The 8-week covered period under PPP should align with the beginning of a pay period, not the date loan proceeds are received.
2. The 8-week period should commence once local stay-at-home restrictions are lifted, not when loan proceeds are received, so small businesses have adequate funds to ramp up operations.
3. Full-time job equivalents (FTEs) can be calculated using a simple wage-based proxy when hours worked are not tracked by the employer.
4. Payroll reduction calculations should be based on average payroll per employee per week, not total compensation per employee.

Click here for AICPA’s List of Recommendations

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PPP Loan Forgiveness: Application & Instructions

The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application.

The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers, including:

• Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles
• Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan
• Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness
• Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30
• Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined

 Click here to view the application and instructions.

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The South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC) has secured funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) to capitalize a small business revolving loan fund for businesses adversely impacted by Coronavirus. These funds, provided pursuant to the March 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), will be administered by the SFRPC through its Revolving Loan Fund CARES Act Program.

$5,380,000 is available for businesses. Click here to learn more and apply.

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Reemployment Assistance - Application Guide
(formerly Unemployment Compensation)

Reemployment Assistance benefits (formerly Unemployment Compensation) are available to Floridians whose employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and is available for workers who lost their jobs through no fault of their own. In Florida, a maximum of $275 a week is typically available for a maximum of 26 weeks. The CARES Act has provided for $600 a week for a maximum of 16 weeks in additional assistance and made other modifications due to the current pandemic.  

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, if you were denied benefits or if you applied on or before April 4, you should reapply online at www.FloridaJobs.org (regardless of whether you have received a response from the department). This includes gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, people who just moved to Florida, or almost anyone else who wouldn’t normally be eligible for state benefits.

If you applied on or after April 5, the state will already be able to process your claim.

Please click here for the City of Hollywood’s Reemployment Assistance Application Guide, which is a step-by-step guide on how to complete and submit the online application. In addition to applying online from a computer or mobile device, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is now accepting paper applications for Reemployment Assistance claims (available in English, Spanish and Creole). Here are three ways to obtain a paper application to mail in:

A) Download an application here and mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.

B) FedEx is now offering free printing and mailing of Reemployment Assistance paper applications at over 100 storefronts across the state. Click here to find your nearest FedEx store location.

C) Pick up a paper application from a CareerSource Broward career center below, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Once you have completed your paper application, please mail it to: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, P.O. Box 5350, Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350.

• 7550 Davie Road Extension, Hollywood, 33024
• 2610 West Oakland Park Blvd, Oakland Park, 33311
• 4941 Coconut Creek Pkwy, Coconut Creek, 33063

PIN Trouble When Applying For Reemployment Assistance

If you are unable to reset your PIN online:

• Call the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for assistance: 1-800-297-0586
• CareerSource Broward is now doing PIN resets for Reemployment Assistance (RA) customers in order to assist DEO with the overflow of PIN reset requests. Click here, scroll down to the “Get Help With Resetting Your CONNECT PIN” section, and click on the “Submit PIN Reset Request” button. This puts your name on a list so your PIN can be reset by CareerSource Broward staff.

Please note that in some cases, individuals may need to authenticate their identity. To do this, you will need to send a copy of your driver license and social security card to DEO:

• By email: IdentityRequest@deo.myflorida.com

- OR -

• By fax:1-321-332-6608

Still have questions regarding Reemployment Assistance? Check out the FAQ page on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website.

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The City of Hollywood urges its business community to evaluate the Short-Time Compensation Program in an effort to curtail major layoffs.

The Short-Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff.  The program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short-Time Compensation Plan to avoid total layoff of some employees. Apply here.

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Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program

Currently, the DEO is not accepting applications for the Emergency Bridge Loan Program. If you have previously applied, check your application status below.

View Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan

Frequently Asked Questions

Check Application Status

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and its emergency bridge loan partners will continue to review applications that are received online or postmarked by Monday, April 13, 2020. DEO and its Emergency Bridge Loan partners will continue to quickly and efficiently process loans for Florida businesses affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19 until available funds are expended.

For questions regarding the loan program, please contact DEO toll-free at 833-832-4494 or email FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com.

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Has COVID-19 affected your business? Take this survey to help activate additional resources.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) issued the Business Damage Assessment Survey to evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy. The survey’s feedback allows the State Government to fully assess the economic impact COVID-19 is having on Florida businesses and industries, in order to mobilize the appropriate resources to help alleviate those pressures. The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online. Results will be shared with government agencies and local partners, including the Small Business Administration (SBA). For inquiries/assistance with the survey, contact ESF18@em.myflorida.com. 

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Financial Impact of COVID-19: Retailers & Landlords Can Take Action

Shelter-in-place orders, designed to stem the spread of COVID-19, also mean uncertainty and disruption, including widespread closures of shopping centers. SCT spoke with four experts about what landlords should do; what retailers can do; landlord liquidity, both short term and long term; and how the CARES Act stacks up. Read the full article here.   

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CONNEX Florida: Florida’s Supply Chain Database

The purpose of this tool is to help Florida manufacturers better connect with each other, be discovered, and increase business opportunities. Through this database you can:

• Connect with manufacturers
• Post RFPs/RFQs/RFIs
• Exchange surplus materials & equipment
• Identify workforce and R&D offerings
• Search processes, equipment, certifications, NAICS, SIC, products, materials

For more information on Connex Florida, click here.

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