Largo COVID-19 Update: Business Resources

The City of Largo remains committed to helping the business community. Largo’s Emergency Management team is regularly monitoring the evolving health concerns in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and taking the proactive measures necessary to help protect the health and well-being of our City. For the latest updates, information and resources, including updates about facility closures, visit Largo.com/COVID19.

Largo Economic Development will remain operational to assist customers via phone and email. Please contact us at [email protected] for assistance or contact us at 727-586-7360. In addition to checking this page often for resource updates, please follow our Facebook and Linkedin pages to be updated as additional resources become available.

Largo Business Services

The City of Largo is following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for social distancing and has closed Largo City Hall to the public. This decision was made in response to emerging public health concerns of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and a proactive measure to ensure the health and safety of our staff, residents, and customers.

  • The Building Division will continue functioning for permitting and plan review via online, mail in and drop-off options, with inspections. Permit review times may be delayed in particular cases. Learn more about Building Division services offered at this time.
  • The City’s Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department understands that some commercial customers have had service hours cut-back or eliminated by state law or due to health concerns, resulting a reduction of solid waste materials. Staff is available to analyze your current needs and make recommendations on service changes, as needed. Learn more about options available to commercial customers.

Largo Business Continuity Program
The City's response and recovery from the COVID-19 emergency will be a long term process and will occur in phases. A City-wide approach will be necessary to meet the needs of the entire community for housing, economic recovery and community well being. Please check the Business Continuity Program page often for updates on when the application when be available.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

  • Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the activation of the Business Damage Assessment Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Florida’s local businesses, including those in Pinellas County. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement economic relief programs for businesses can begin.

Purchasing

  • The Division of State Purchasing organized the Florida Emergency Supplier Network and Florida Emergency Purchasing Network to assist state agencies and local governments with purchasing functions during emergencies.
  • Due to COVID-19, our partners at Pinellas County Economic Development are working with Pinellas County Emergency Management to identify local businesses that may be able to support the manufacture of alternate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks and eye protection. Additionall, Pinellas County is proactively collecting donations of PPE, disinfectants, and medical devices for our hospitals, first responders, emergency medical services, nursing homes, and healthcare workers. If you are able to donate, sell or manufacture these supplies to help at this time, please visit the informational page  from Pinellas County. The page includes information on the specific types of products needed. Other items such as food, clothing, and blankets, are not requested at this time. But if you would like to donate to our local food banks, please visit the informational page and scroll down for locations.

The CARES Act of 2020

To help small businesses owners and entrepreneurs better understand the new programs that are available to them, the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship created a comprehensive guide to many of the small business provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress. These programs and iniatiatives are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.
When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

To keep up to date on the availability of these programs, please stay in contact with your local SBA District Office. Largo's nearest SBA Office can be contacted at:

South Florida Disrict Office
(Tampa Alternate Work Site)
SBA District Office
501 East Kennedy Blvd.
Suite 1210
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 228-2100 Ext. 24
Visit Website
Or, visit the SBA website to locate your nearest SBA Office.

Loans

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for working capital to Florida small businesses suffering susbstantial economic injury as a result of COVID-10. The agency is offering up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue. Apply online. The deadline to apply is December 18, 2020.
 Restaurants, hotels, bars and nightclubs

Workforce

  • CareerSource Pinellas is committed to continue finding ways to assist with employment needs during this difficult time. Contact CareerSource Pinellas to learn more about information on the resources currently available to eligible individuals and employers, including reemployment assistance and accessing the Employ Florida webpage.
    • Employ Florida is an online resource for both employers and career seekers. Employers may go in and post vacant positions to find candidates and career seekers can create a profile to find employment.
Resources for Employees

  • The Department of Economic Opportunity administers the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, which provides assistance to individuals whose employment has been either lost or interrupted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A hard copy of the application for Reemployment Assistance is now available for download.
  • For restaurant and bar employees:
    • CORE - Children of Restaurant Employees resources and financial support

Other resources:

  • The Pinellas Arts Community Relief Fund has been established in response to the sudden and dramatic need for emergency relief among Pinellas County artists and arts organizations. The relief funds will be distributed through the Pinellas Community Foundation. The goal of the fund is to help ensure that the vibrant arts and cultural landscape of our community remains intact through this emergency. Award amounts are $500 for artists and between $500-$1500 for arts organizations and small creative businesses for current and immediate financial needs, individual needs, organization and business needs. Apply online.

Updated: 4/20/20 4:28pm