Today, Governor Ron DeSantis relaxed an eligibility condition of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program so that sole proprietors in the Marine Fisheries Industry with firms in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties can get crucial help. This announcement follows the request made by Governor DeSantis last week for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to declare a federal fisheries disaster in order to access government funding.
Additionally, yesterday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie met with marine industry business owners and employees at a pop-up Disaster Recovery Center dedicated to supplying Floridians in the marine fisheries industry with resources. Secretary Eagle and Director Guthrie were able to learn about the challenges faced by the industry in its recovery from Hurricane Ian and provide assistance.
Our marine fisheries have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ian, and these effects are far-reaching, according to Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am committed to preserving Florida’s fishing industry, which includes assisting Floridians who rely on the water for a job.”
Small businesses in Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties affected by Hurricane Ian have access to $50 million through the program. Ten million dollars of the loan program is designated for small agricultural producers. As they are received, small companies in the most affected counties — Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota — will be prioritized and escalated.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ strong leadership and compassionate approach to ensuring Floridians and their businesses can recover quickly from the impact of Hurricane Ian on their livelihoods, sole proprietors in the Marine Fisheries Industry with businesses located in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties can now apply for this critical assistance,” said DEO Secretary Dane Eagle.
Small company owners in Florida who are in need of assistance are invited to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program at www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL.
Sole proprietors in the Marine Fisheries Industry with businesses located in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota counties who wish to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program are required to provide evidence that the business is a part of the Marine Fisheries Industry.
The program, which is handled by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), offers zero-interest loans on a short-term basis to small companies that sustained economic or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants have until December 2, 2022, or until all funds are exhausted, to submit an application.
Loans issued through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster damages a firm and the time the business secures longer-term funding for recovery, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. Through the program, eligible small enterprises may apply for loans of up to $50,000.
This program provides short-term, interest-free personal loans with cash from the state of Florida. Loans are not grants and must be returned by the applicant who is authorized.
Emergency Bridge Loan Program is administered by DEO and its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation.
Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending requirements and necessary documentation, and submit an application by the deadline of December 2, 2022. Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, business owners can call 833-832-4494 for additional program details.