5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

1. Jobless claims reach 33M
2. Link: https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/
3. Description of the Story: Since the Coronavirus pandemic, more and more people are claiming unemployment. It has recently reached an all time high with 1 out of every 5 workers having to apply for unemployment. This is true throughout Florida and could even be higher in big cities like Tampa and Orlando.
4. Description of the Problem: U.S. companies are unable to pay their workers with this pandemic closing many of their stores/restaurants, so many workers are being laid off.
5. Who has the Problem: People who were working for companies that had to close their stores and were laid off as a result.

1. No face cover, no service?
2. Link: https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/
3. Description of the Story: With the Coronavirus pandemic, many stores have had to close that are non-essential. Stores that were able to remain open, such as Fresh Market, started policies that required not only their workers to wear masks, but their shoppers as well. Many stores are able to start opening this weekend, and will follow the example that Fresh Market has set, but in Tampa it is not required to wear a face mask yet.
4. Description of the Problem: Since there are no mask laws yet, customers cannot be penalized for not wearing one, other than being asked to leave the store.
5. Who has the Problem: People who are unable to get their hands on masks because there is a shortage and they can’t stay on the shelves.

1. Teens juggle jobs, virtual education
2. Link: https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/
3. Description of the Story: Because of the epidemic, schools have shifted online and many stores that are open (such as Target) have been asking their workers to work longer hours, including teenagers. With these added work hours, teenagers have less time to focus on school, and their grades have been slipping as a result. Teachers in Hillsborough county are noticing a downward trend in the grades of their students.
4. Description of the Problem: Teenagers grades are getting worse as a result of virtual school and longer work hours.
5. Who has the Problem: Teenage students who have jobs.

1. Unlocking floodgates - slowly
2. Link: https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/
3. Description of the Story: With the pandemic closing theme parks and places of large gatherings, naturally the Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa had to close as well. Since many business are starting to reopen in Florida, the CEO’s of the attractions are trying to figure out safe ways to start opening that will keep the visitors and the animals safe.
4. Description of the Problem: Finding a safe way to reopen the attractions that will protect the animals and the visitors.
5. Who has the Problem: The CEO’s and the people in higher management that have to come up with the solution.

1. Neiman Marcus files for bankruptcy
2. Link: https://tampabaytimes-fl.newsmemory.com/
3. Description of the Story: With the pandemic, many stores have been forced to close. Because of these closures, some stores have gone bankrupt because they have had to continue to pay rent when they have no revenue coming in. Before Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy, J. Crew had as well. There are expected to be many more companies filing for bankruptcy in the future. Many small businesses throughout Tampa have had to close their doors for good, but these two are some of the first large companies to have to do the same.
4. Description of the Problem: Stores have to continue to pay their rent when they have no cash inflow because their stores are closed.
5. Who has the Problem: All businesses that have been shut down because of the virus, such as J. Crew and Neiman Marcus.