You must maintain unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties, and at the same time, have the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.
The above quote is in reference to the book Good to Great, by Jim Collins and “The Stockdale Paradox” named after Admiral Jim Stockdale. You can read the full excerpt here.
As we face our current reality of the impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic is having on the tourism industry and all aspects of our daily lives, Visit Lake (tourism) and Elevate Lake (economic development) will be here to support and provide resources and reliable information to our local industry partners. We will work closely with all of our partners to ensure a strong support program to welcome visitors to “Real Florida. Real Close.” as soon as we can.
This page is to be used as just one of many resource pages that you can access for information regarding local, state and national news, tourism industry resources and more. We understand that this is a difficult time for our businesses and residents. Please do your part to take this situation seriously and implement the necessary precautions to help minimize impact,
We encourage our partners to follow @VisitLakeFL Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and tag us in your stories and posts so we can share your content. Also, use the hashtag #ShareMyLake on Instagram for us to repost your photos.
As always, if you have any questions or thoughts regarding this page, or if we can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 352-742-3918 or email us at visitlake@lakecountyfl.gov.
Lake CARES Small Business Assistance Program
The Lake CARES Business Assistance Grant Program will invest up to $16 million to assist for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations in Lake County. For further assistance, the CARES Act helpline is available at 352-268-9299.
Visit www.ReopenLake.com for the most up to date information on assistance programs, guidelines, and resources.
Update to CARES Act Funding to Assist Lake County Businesses and Residents
- Self-employed/sole proprietor: $4,000
- Businesses with 2-9 employees: $10,000
- Businesses with 10-25 employees: $15,000
- Businesses with 26-50 employees: $20,000
- Businesses with more than 50 employees $30,000
- Non-profits and Chambers of Commerce (no employee requirement): $10,000
COVID-19 Information
Lake County, FL COVID-19 Website – For the current news and updates regarding Lake County messages and responses to COVID-19.
Florida Department of Health | COVID-19 website – This includes Florida specific information, trends, emergency management and Executive Orders from Governor DeSantis. For any other questions related to COVID-19 in Florida, please contact the Florida Department of Health hotline in Lake County by calling (352) 742-4830. The Call Center is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Inquiries may also be emailed to COVID-19@flhealth.gov.
CDC COVID-19 Resource Page – For current news, resources and information from the national Centers for Disease Control
Tourism Industry Resources
Visit Lake FL | Partner Portal
VISIT FLORIDA |COVID-19 Resources and Information for Businesses
VISIT FLORIDA | Current Travel Safety Information for Travelers
Destinations International | COVID-19 Travel Industry Resource Page
US Travel Association | COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response
Reopening Resources
For Lake County, FL business and resident resources and reopening guidelines visit ReopenLake.com.
For information on Governor DeSantis’ Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery, visit https://www.flgov.com/covid-19. A direct link to all the Governor’s Executive Orders is here.
For a compilation of business best practices and more tips on reopening, click here.
For currently reported COVID-19 cases in Florida, click here.
Additional Reopening Resources
U.S. Travel Association Industry Guidance for Promoting the Health and Safety of All Travelers
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Safe Operating Guidance
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Reopening Best Practices
Florida Attractions Association Reopening Florida’s Attractions Resource Website
Orange County Government’s Regional Economic Recovery Task Force
Orlando Health Business Ready Resource Website
Business & Employee Resources
Elevate Lake COVID-19 Business Resources website – The Office of Elevate Lake, the economic development office of Lake County, is continuously working to provide the most up-to-date information and resources available to local businesses and employees during this time. Visit their website for more information and resources that may be available to you or email Elevate Lake at info@elevatelake.com.
CARES Act
National Restaurant Association | “CARES Act” Executive Summary for Restaurants
FRLA | Small Business Owner’s Guide to the “CARES Act”
Southeast Tourism Society | “CARES Act” Summary
Marketing Resources
Google My Business Essentials During COVID-19
VISIT FLORIDA Small Business Toolkit
Destinations Florida Tourism Strong Recovery Marketplace
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
To view information about VISIT FLORIDA’s in-state marketing campaign to aide the tourism industry’s recovery is here.
Employee Resources
More Resources
COVID-19 Government Resources
CDC | Resources for Businesses and Employers
Guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) COVID-19 Business Disaster Recovery Assistance
Economic Development & Business
Florida Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Resource Center
Florida Economic Development Council
Data & Research
VISIT FLORIDA | COVID-19 Florida Tourism Impacts
ADARA | COVID-19 Resource Center & Traveler Trends Tracker
STR | COVID-19 Hotel Industry Impact
Miles Partnership| Data Tracking Resource Hub
Arrivalist | Daily Travel Index
KeyData Dashboard | Florida Vacation Rentals Impacts
Arts & Culture
National Endowment for the Arts – COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations
United Arts of Central Florida – Suggested Arts & Cultural Resources During COVID-19
Lake County Arts & Cultural Alliance
Attractions & Events
CDC | Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
Florida Department of Health |Community Event Considerations
Florida Attractions Association
Florida Attractions Association – 4 Webinars to Refine Your Marketing Plans to Reopen
Florida Festival and Events Association – COVID-19 Resources
Florida Festival and Events Association – Event Planning in the New Normal
Event Safety Alliance – Reopening Guide
Hospitality Industry – Hotel, Lodging, Restaurants
American Hotel & Lodging Association COVID-19 Resource Center
Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) – COVID-19 Resource Page
Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association COVID-19 Information
Sports
Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) COVID-19 Recovery Resources
United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Coronavirus Updates
USOPC Return to Training Considerations
USOPC Return to Event Considerations
The Aspen Institute Project Play – “Return to Play” COVID-19 Risk Assessment Tool