Small โarmyโ of volunteers providing Meals on Wings to those in need
Many have called Meals On Wheels for help, but the need is far too great. Some are placed on a waiting list, but that "gap" has been filled for the last four years by Meals On Wings, a program staffed by students and employees at the University of North Florida.
How to apply for Jacksonvilleโs COVID-19 mortgage relief program
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ After announcing a program that opened for applications Monday to help with rent and utility assistance for those in need because of COVID-19, the city of Jacksonville announced a similar program for mortgage assistance, opening for applications Wednesday. The Mortgage Relief Program will begin accepting applications at 8 a.m. Wednesday. The program will provide up to six months of delinquent mortgage payments or $7,500, whichever is less. Those interested in the program are strongly encouraged to create a MyJax account before applying. While individuals may create a MyJax account immediately, the application process will not begin until Wednesday, March 31, at 8 a.m.
Mayor Curry, council members pitch gas-tax/infrastructure plan as โJobs for Jaxโ
Standing in front of a current road project on Collins Road, Curry called this the โJobs for Jaxโ program, Curry said it will not only pay for long-overdue projects, including getting homes off septic tanks. By fully leveraging the gas tax like other major cities in Florida do, we can make substantial progress...โ Curry said. JTA CEO Nat Ford discussed it on last Sundayโs This Week in Jacksonville program and the City Council began discussing the plan on Tuesday. โThereโs no good time for a gas tax,โ Council President Tommy Hazouri said. Curry is expected to present the legislation to City Council next month, which could pass it as soon as May.
City Council asked to approve $5.3 million to help avoid evictions, foreclosures
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ City Council will be asked Tuesday night to transfer $5.3 million of CARES Act funding from the Vystar Small Business Relief program to fund a new Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program. The program is designed to assist those individuals and businesses impacted by COVID-19 who are facing potential eviction or foreclosure. The program will be managed by The Jacksonville Bar Association Inc. The legislation, Ordinance 2020-0673, is expected to be voted on as an emergency. CARES Act funding, which came from the federal government, expires Dec. 30, 2020.
UK announces new plan to help workers hit by pandemic
(Victoria Jones/PA via AP)LONDON โ Britainโs treasury chief announced a new income support program Thursday for workers hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, as the government races to prevent widespread layoffs when earlier employer subsidies end next month. Businesses and labor unions had pressed the government to step in with more direct support for people in precarious work situations. Under a furloughed worker program that expires next month, the government pays 80% of the wages of workers placed on leave. To underscore that his proposals have wide support, Sunak appeared outside his office before delivering his speech, holding a copy of the plan and flanked by representatives of the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress. Weโve already lost 700,000 jobs.โIn addition to the wage support program, Sunak said the government will help businesses by extending loan repayment deadlines and loan guarantees provided earlier this year.
Kemp launches โGeorgia Madeโ logo for in-state manufacturers
Brian Kemp is announcing a โGeorgia Madeโ program to encourage manufacturers to promote the state on their products. The Republican Kemp announced the program Wednesday at the state Capitol, surrounded by representatives of 11 companies whose factories he visited during a statewide tour last fall. โI hope each of the companies here will place it on your products as a badge of honor,โ Kemp said. Manufactured goods last year made up 90% of Georgiaโs $41.2 billion in exports, with Canada, Mexico, Germany, China and Singapore the top international destinations for Georgia products. The state saw exports increase 1.5%, even as overall U.S. exports fell slightly.