JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With business down almost across the board because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, local companies are relying on government PPP loans to keep them going. “Help the people that lost their jobs, help our small businesses, make sure our schools get open.”Scott complained that the majority of the money is bailing out huge corporations instead of supporting small businesses. He’s pushing an amendment that would only help companies that can prove a substantial reduction in revenue from COVID-19. The I-TEAM has analyzed government documents showing that more than 32,000 businesses have gotten federal help in Northeast Florida; 14,000 in the city of Jacksonville alone. However, the median loan amount in Northeast Florida is $21,207, a much smaller piece of the pie.

RELATED: Stein Mart files for bankruptcy & lays off hundreds | Stein Mart begins liquidation sales at all locations“It was history here and we’ll miss it,” Wicker said of the store she shopped at for the last several decades. Stein Mart first opened its doors in Greensville, Mississippi in 1908. The department store eventually expanded into 33 states with a total of 279 stores at its peak, most of them in Florida. The department store’s first Jacksonville location opened in 1983. Over the years, Stein Mart survived the Great Depression and Great Recession, but it could not make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest Federal Reserve survey of U.S. economic activity found generally modest gains in August but also pessimism about the future given the threats posed by the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)WASHINGTON The latest Federal Reserve survey of U.S. economic activity found generally modest gains in August but also pessimism about the future given the threats posed by the coronavirus. The Fed report made public Wednesday said that a theme echoed across the country is the lingering uncertainty stemming from the pandemic and its negative effect on consumer and business activity. This despite the Fed and Congress providing massive amounts of economic support. The Fed report said that consumer spending, which accounts for 70% of economic activity, had increased, pushed higher by strong auto sales and some improvements in tourism and retail sales.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Department store chain Stein Mart filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday after 112 years in business and announced that it will close most, if not all, of its stores. Jacksonville-based Stein Mart has more than 280 stores in 30 states specializing in clothing, shoes and housewares at discount prices. Stein Mart closed its businesses in mid-March because of the pandemic. More then 40 retailers have filed for Chapter 11 this year, including more than two dozen retailers who filed since the pandemic began. Last year, 23 retailers filed for Chapter 11.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Stein Mart on Tuesday said it was laying off a substantial number of associates at its Jacksonville headquarters, according to a report by the Jacksonville Daily Record. Its unclear exactly how many workers were impacted. Linda Tasseff, a spokesperson for Stein Mart, told the Record that the decision was fueled by the continuing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused significant financial distress on our business.Before the pandemic began, the Jacksonville-based business had 375 employees working in its corporate office. In April, the company announced it was laying off most of its 8,600 employees in its stores and supply chains.

Take it to heartPublished: August 4, 2020, 9:35 amFirst Coast Heart Walk goes virtual, but COVID-19 gives you more reasons to lace up. Stein Mart CEO and Chair of the 2020 First Coast Heart Walk, Hunt Hawkins, joins us to give us the new updates about this years heart walk.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – Stein Mart announced the first phase of its plan to open at least 12 new stores in 2016. On Tuesday, the Jacksonville-based retailer announced the locations of the first five stores, which are slated to open in the spring. Aurora (Denver), ColoradoKing of Prussia (Philadelphia), PennsylvaniaMadison, WisconsinNaples, FloridaWilmington, DelawareThis news follows the company’s recent release of total sales growth of 3.2 percent for 2015. “We are very pleased with the progress we are making with our store growth. This year’s anticipated store openings will surpass the ten stores we opened last year and nine stores in 2014,” said Jay Stein, CEO of Stein Mart.