As airlines slashed flights and furloughs appeared inevitable in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Mike Catania sensed there would be little need for a service that helped airline crews find short-term housing. So, Catania and his fellow owners shut down Padloop in early March, even though the nearly year-old company had just broken […]
Coronavirus cases are down in Southwest Florida but cases seem to be increasing in other states. With season beginning soon, will the snowbirds bring those cases down with them? It’s too early to tell, but many business owners in our area say it’s worth the risk. Bob Heiny takes his coffee outside and drinks it […]
Many small businesses are following the larger chains as they begin to require masks for shopping and visiting. “Everyone has to have a mask on,” said Sherrie Moody, Executive Director of the Charlotte Players Theater. No matter the performance, when the seats are filling up at the theater, masks must be worn because Moody believes […]
On Monday business owners have another chance to get help as you try to come back from the pandemic. Lee county is opening up the application process to get free money. The county website shows they’ve already handed out $4.6 million. As of Monday morning, over 2,300 applications have been approved. This is a one-time […]
Millions of dollars in financial relief will be going to families and business owners in Lee County. Lee County residents and businesses can apply to get help with rent and childcare through the LeeCARES programs starting Tuesday. And, if you’re a business owner, you can ask for what the county calls “relaunch” money. Lee County […]
Thousands of small businesses nationwide are getting a second chance at a financial lifeline, as the federal government is beginning to hand out another $310 billion dollars Monday. Some Southwest Florida business owners are desperate for a cash infusion, not just to stay in business but to feed the families of their employees. One of […]
A key piece of the federal government’s stimulus efforts to help small businesses and their employees has run out of money, shutting out thousands of potential borrowers who were seeking aid amidst the coronavirus-driven economic plunge. The U.S. Small Business Administration said Thursday morning the Paycheck Protection Program wouldn’t be accepting any more applications for […]
As businesses shut their doors or reduce their hours, many are hoping they can get a small business loan to stay afloat until the economy improves, but some business owners said the loans aren’t coming fast enough. Michael Fattah owns Ristorante Farfalla, an Italian restaurant in Estero. “It’s a bunch of good employees that I […]
White House press release: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CALLS ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND DELIVERS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS After calling on the private sector to step-up for small businesses, the Trump administration delivers major commitments from these public-private partnerships. Goldman Sachs Deliverable: • Commits to $500 million in capital and critical infrastructure to Treasury-certified Community […]
The coronavirus is having an economic impact on cities throughout the U.S. While some businesses are seeing a boom, others are empty. We spoke to a small business owner in Southwest Florida who told us how it’s impacting her. Owner Florence Del Fondo of Le Macaron French Pastries in downtown Fort Myers came to America […]