Despite what has been a rise in coronavirus cases in Florida since October, several events are still planned Southwest Florida for this week.

• Downtown Fort Myers will put on Art Walk and Music Walk
• Fort Myers Beach’s boat parade is still a go
• The Naples Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting Ceremony is also being held

All these popular events will look a bit different during the pandemic.

Organizers for the boat parade on Fort Myers Beach and all of the other upcoming events are emphasizing the importance of masks, social distancing and sanitizing.

Businesses told us these events bring increased crowds. While some people think it’s too soon for that, others say they are excited to have events happening around Southwest Florida again.

Music Walk and Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers are two of the many things people such as Yolie Ellis missed during the pandemic.

“It just brought life to the area,” Ellis said.

The two events returned in November and will happen again in December, accompanied by signs encouraging masks and social distancing.

“Anything that restores life to some sort of normality,” Howard Kunkel said.

Ellis loves these events but does not believe the time is now.

“It’s just too soon with the COVID virus to have that many people together,” Ellis said.

Businesses downtown say more events are good news for them.

“We did notice a lot of people come out for those nights,” said Robert Podgorski, the owner of Green Cup Café. “Being a coffee shop it was nice to have a couple of people for some late-night coffee and smoothies and dining.”

On Fort Myers Beach, businesses, such as Nervous Nellies, are gearing up for the Christmas boat parade Saturday, which normally draws people to their restaurant patio to watch.

“We are super thankful. It’s a great business day for us,” said Andrew Wiersma, the manager of Nervous Nellies.

Nervous Nellies says it plans to keep tables spaced out as people watch the boat parade from the patio on the back bay this weekend.

For Christmas on 5th in Naples, NCH is helping with masks and sanitizing stations to keep everyone safe.

Although events such as the boat parade, Art walk and Christmas on 5th Ave. normally draw more people out than usual, Tom and Nancy Cooper believe, with masks, social distancing and the fresh outdoor air, everyone can enjoy safely.

“I’m just excited to see Florida kind of coming back alive, but everybody needs to still be careful,” Nancy said.

Businesses already hurting from the pandemic will take another hit next year. The tax they pay tied to the unemployment system is going up.

“It’s been a tough year already with coronavirus, but we have to do we have to do,” said Chris Blauvelt, the owner of The Standard restaurant in downtown Fort Myers.

Blauvelt says it’s another hurdle he’s willing to jump.

“We have to pay our taxes, and we have to support our community,” Blauvelt said. “That’s all part of it.”

Florida Department of Revenue calculates, next year, businesses will need to pay more toward unemployment insurance, partly because of how many people collected unemployment this year.

In 2020, a business paying the minimum reemployment tax rate paid $7 per employee over the year.

In 2021, that same business will pay $20.30 per employee.

For example, if a business has 100 employees, that’s an extra $1,300 in taxes next year.

Businesses that have laid off any employees in the last three years will see even higher rates.

“It’s going to be significant for some employers that haven’t planned,” said Carolyn Johnson, Director of Business, Economic Development & Innovation Policy at the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “Employers are already hurting due to the pandemic and having to shut down or having to reduce business during COVID.”

Johnson says, during the Great Recession between 2007 and 2009, the minimum tax rate went from $8 to more than $100 per employee.

“So in comparison, a $13 increase is not as bad as previous years, but definitely something that will impact employers in the form of additional costs,” Johnson said.

Add in the fact that the minimum wage is going up, and Johnson says these costs could get passed on to consumers.

“With the increase in wages and the increase in unemployment rates, there’s going to be a cost in the form of goods and services coming up,” Johnson said.

Florida Chamber of Commerce says it’s working with its members now to see just how significant the impact will be. It plans to push the legislature for certain tax breaks, grants and liability protection to offset the increase.

With 22 employees, Blauvelt says this won’t impact his hiring, but he’ll keep a close eye on his budget.

“You gotta really watch all your costs now, just have to be — run a tight ship,” Blauvelt said.

From the Florida Chamber of Commerce:

“The Department of Revenue has released to the Florida Chamber the Reemployment Tax Rate (formally known as unemployment tax) for employers beginning January 1, 2021.

“Florida job creators will see an almost 200% increase in unemployment costs, as employers that are at the minimum rate for unemployment will see a tax increase of $13.30 per employee and will now pay $20.30 per employee in 2021 compared to $7 an employee in 2020. Other employers with variable rates will also see increases in 2021 unless they are at the maximum rate of 5.4 percent.

“The minimum rate will increase from 0.10 percent to 0.29 percent due to socialized costs, such as the non-charge ratio and a fund size adjustment ratio to replenish the trust fund. The maximum rate, set in statute, remains at 5.4 percent. The taxable wage base remains at $7,000 for the year 2021.”

For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow WINK News Investigative Reporter Sara Girard on Twitter and Facebook.

She also updates the WINK News FAQ: Unemployment Resources page as information is received.