The Florida office of the National Federation of Independent Business has issued a "Plan for the Survival of Florida's Small Businesses" that includes ten recommendations to help ensure that local businesses survive the COVID-19 crisis.
"Small business is critical to our economy," NFIB State Executive Director Bill Herrle said. "Small businesses employ 3.4 million in Florida, or about 42% of the state's workforce."
Among the key recommendations: Don't differentiate between small and large businesses in the re-open timeline and process. Don't differentiate between "essential" and "non-essential" businesses; no job is "non-essential." Make any commerce restrictions temporary, objective, and clear-cut. Encourage, foster, and protect home-based business models. Provide liability protection from pandemic-related lawsuits and workers' compensation claims. Dedicate Visit Florida funding to an in-state public campaign to boost shopping at small businesses.
The Re-Open Florida Task Force has been meeting this week to consider various recommendations for Governor Ron DeSantis as he decides when and how to re-open the state's economy.
"We encourage the task force to consider these recommendations," Herrle said. "This 'Plan for the Survival of Florida's Small Businesses' gives them a fighting chance to survive."
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