We’ve been helping businesses thrive and grow for over 45 years, and we help corporations and government agencies with their supplier diversity goals. We continue to be here for you.

We’ve assembled an important and timely list of resources and information, including loans, assistance with loan packaging, technical assistance, webinars, resources to help minority suppliers during this downturn,  advice on business continuity and strategies for managing remote workforces. We’ll be updating these resources regularly, as information, recommendations, executive orders and opportunities change.

Announcing the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Portal

In response to the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19, the Council has created a platform where certified MBEs that supply PPE products can be connected with buyers (MBEs/corporate members) and others.

Covid response business program logo

The COVID Response & Relief Business Program

The Miami and Orlando COVID Response & Relief Business Program is operated by Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC). The goal of the program is to assist minority businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic.

Services provided include:

  • Financing: loan forgiveness, working capital, purchase orders/invoices, equipment, business expansion and commercial building acquisition
  • Procurement: design of capability statements, information on contracting opportunities with government agencies and large private sector companies
  • Assistance developing disaster preparedness and recovery plans
  • Sales and marketing assistance
  • Certifications: MBE, SBE, WBE, DBE, 8(a), HUBZone, SAM registration and other certifications.

Get Assistance from the COVID Response & Relief Business Program

Funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Award

Request for Assistance​

If you need assistance or support for your business please complete the Request For Assistance form.

Request for Assistance​

Request For Assistance Form

Quick Launch Links - Find What You Need Faster

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Additional Updates and Requirements PPP Loan Forgiveness
SBA Preparing New PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal for Small Businesses
You Can Still Access the Remaining PPP Funds
First Bank of the Lake is Accepting PPP Loan Applications
Paycheck Protection Program Opportunity from Truist
SBA and Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness for Loans of $50,000 or Less
NMSDC Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

CARES Act

Guide to the CARES Act​
Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

Summary of Key CARES Act Provisions

Business Opportunities

Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club Offers an Opportunity for Diverse-Owned Dry Grocery, Snacks, Pantry and Beverage Brands
COVID-19 Medical Supplies & Equipment
To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government
Doing Business with FEMA
For non-medical supplies, services or equipment, if you are interested in doing business with FEMA, visit the Industry Liaison Program.
A Free Resource For Bid Opportunities
Ariba-SAP Discovery is a tool that many corporations/sellers use to solicit suppliers for bid opportunities and suppliers have to pay a cost to join. For the next 90 days suppliers can sign-up for free to receive bids from sellers! The suppliers would just need to complete an on-line profile and system will use their NAICS codes to send bids.

Technical Assistance Program

The Technical Assistance Program (TAP) for small, minority-owned businesses is designed to help your
business thrive in today's complex, rapidly changing and uncertain environment.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) offer up to $2 million in assistance for eligible small businesses. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue driven by COVID-19’s impact.

Disaster Loan Applications are now live for the State of Florida (Disaster #FL-00152).
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
SBA Program Comparison
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

SBA Grants & Funding

Shuttered Venue Grant Application Opens April 8
The SBA launched a splash page for the application portal where small business owners of eligible venues may apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) starting April 8. Eligible entities that applied for a Paycheck Protection Program loan after Dec. 27, 2020 can also apply for the SVOG, with the eligible entity’s SVOG reduced by the PPP loan amount.

EIDL Lending Limits Increased
Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the SBA is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 EIDL program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000.

EIDL Extends Deferments Until 2022
The SBA announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022. Read more.

Does Your Small Business Qualify for the EIDL? 
The SBA is reaching out to small businesses that qualify for the COVID-19 targeted Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Funds of up to $10,000 may be available to applicants. Click here to learn more.

Review Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program
The SBA has made key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Review these recent recordings to learn about these changes and what they mean for your business.

Business Loans & Grants

Free​ Informative Business Webinars

FSMSDC | September 22, 2023
Business Impact Awards

Disaster Recovery Assistance & Resources

SBA Virtual Training Program

The SBA offers a variety of online courses to help you start and run your business.

Other Resources

For information on traffic, road conditions, closures, nearby shelter and more.

Emergency Supply Kit

Find a list of essential supplies to help you and your family be prepared during this time. 

Important News and Alerts

Comcast NBCUniversal Wants to Help You 'Plan Your Vaccine,' Launches Nationwide Awareness Campaign and Website

PlanYourVaccine.com features a customizable national tool for vaccination news and data, powered by the trusted journalism of the NBCUniversal News Group. The resource will help users navigate the vaccine rollout process by state, letting them know if they are currently eligible to receive the vaccine, track distribution timelines, and find the closest vaccination location.

Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices

FEMA and HHS are collecting and sharing best practices and lessons learned from the whole-of-America response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Visit FEMA’s Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices page and HHS’s Novel Coronavirus Resources page for examples of best practices intended to help medical practitioners, emergency managers, and other critical stakeholders.

For Employers

On CRM: Salesforce, Zoho And Others Step Up To Fight Coronovirus With These CRM Tools

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on many CRM companies - both large and small - are stepping up to provide tools that will help customers in different industries better and more quickly engage with their customers and community.

For Employees

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

The Short Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees. If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan, and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.

EMPLOYER INFORMATION & APPLICATION: SHORT TERM COMPENSATION PROGRAM (FDEO)

CareerSource South Florida
Employment Opportunities in Miami-Dade County
CareerSource South Florida
Employment Opportunities in Monroe County

Working from Home

Working from home because of COVID-19? You’re not alone.

Reemployment Assistance

If your employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts in Florida to stop the spread of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive Reemployment Assistance.

How To Prepare Your Business to Work from Home

While U.S. companies lag behind much of the rest of the world on remote work, there is a trend to accelerate acceptance and lead to change.

Wellness

Free Bilingual Emotional Support Helpline 833-848-1762

Specially trained behavioral health consult counselors are available to help with stress, anxiety, trauma and grief due to the health crisis. The 24 hour helpline is open to all Floridians courtesy of Florida Blue.

Florida Blue Covering COVID-19 Vaccine at No Cost to Members

Additional Resources

Agency Resources and Information

US Food and Drug Administration
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing instruction to the import community regarding the submission of entry information for personal protective equipment and certain other devices. Following the instructions below will help facilitate the import process for all; especially for products related to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. It is in the best interest of the U.S. to facilitate and expedite the importation of products into the U.S. market that address immediate, urgent public health needs. For further information regarding entry submission requirements, see the FDA Supplemental Guidance here.

 
Submit Additional Information and Resources

The Florida State Minority Supplier Development  Council is working hard to ensure that we provide the most up-to-date, actionable intelligence to our business community. If you or your company has information to share regarding the outbreak and its impact on the business community, please reach out to us directly as we are committed to amplifying all relevant information to South Florida as a whole.

    Etiam magna arcu, ullamcorper ut pulvinar et, ornare sit amet ligula. Aliquam vitae bibendum lorem. Cras id dui lectus. Pellentesque nec felis tristique urna lacinia sollicitudin ac ac ex. Maecenas mattis faucibus condimentum. Curabitur imperdiet felis at est posuere bibendum. Sed quis nulla tellus.

    ADDRESS

    63739 street lorem ipsum City, Country

    PHONE

    +12 (0) 345 678 9

    EMAIL

    [email protected]

    Skip to content