$4.5 million approved for 65 Florida small businesses hit by Hurricane Isaias
Florida just approved $4.5 million for 65 small businesses.
The short version
- The emergency loans carry zero interest to bridge cash gaps.
- Apply by November 25 through the FloridaCommerce website.
- Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi in Destin is among those helped.
Why it matters to you. For business owners in the affected Florida counties, these short-term funds can keep payroll covered while insurance claims slowly process.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Monday that more than $4.5 million has been approved through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias. Sixty-five businesses have already been approved to receive the funds to bridge the gap while they await other long-term funding such as insurance, with more applications being approved every day, according to the governor's office.
The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, which is Florida's state economic development agency, provides short-term, no-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Isaias. Interested applicants can apply now through November 25, or until all available funds are exhausted.
As the Panhandle recovers from Hurricane Isaias, the state is helping businesses reopen safely and getting workers back on the job. Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi, a restaurant in Destin, Florida, is among the local businesses that have been able to start operating again and welcoming customers.
Within 48 hours following landfall, FloridaCommerce, in partnership with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Florida Small Business Development Network, deployed eight strike teams to conduct business-to-business canvassing. Those teams connected with 737 business owners across Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties after a total of 238 surveys were submitted through the Business Damage Assessment Survey.
You can check your eligibility and submit an application at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL before the November deadline.
