Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More Than $6.4 Million to Florida Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Idalia Through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Floridant/10246942

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ~ Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that more than $6.4 million has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, no-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to the hurricane.

"Getting small businesses open and operating following a disaster spurs economic activity that helps the entire community recover," said Governor DeSantis. "I am proud of the work we have done to get funding into the hands of these business owners to help them reopen as quickly as possible."

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly stated that FloridaCommerce has been actively deployed to the Big Bend region to ensure that business owners have access to resources like the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. He added that more than 160 businesses have already been approved for these zero-interest loans and they will continue to be proactive in ensuring that businesses in need are able to take advantage of this program and keep their doors open as they recover.

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Businesses in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco Pinellas Sumter Suwannee Taylor Union and Wakulla counties are eligible for this program along with sole proprietors. Twenty million dollars is available through the program with $5 million set aside for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50 000 while those in agriculture and aquaculture may apply for loans up to $100 000.

The Emergency Bridge Loan Program is intended to bridge the gap between when a disaster impacts a business and when it secures longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans or insurance claims. Interested applicants can apply now through October 25 2023 or until all available funds are expended by visiting www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL or calling 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time for further information about the program and required documentation needed for application submission.

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