Florida approves over $4.5 million in emergency bridge loans after Hurricane Isaias
Florida just approved over $4.5 million in no-interest loans.
The short version
- Sixty-five small businesses hit by Hurricane Isaias got the funds.
- The money bridges the gap while owners await insurance payouts.
- Applications remain open through November 25, 2026.
- Apply through FloridaJobs.org for your business.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $4.5 million has been approved for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Isaias through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Sixty-five businesses have already been approved to receive these short-term, no-interest funds to bridge the gap while they wait for long-term funding like insurance payouts.
The program is administered by FloridaCommerce, the state agency handling economic development. Officials deployed eight strike teams across Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties after collecting 238 business damage surveys. As the Panhandle recovers, state teams visited local spots like Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi in Destin, which started operating again and welcoming customers.
Governor DeSantis said, as the Panhandle recovers from Hurricane Isaias, the state is helping businesses reopen safely and getting workers back on the job. The program offers short-term loans that must be paid back, not free grant money. Interested applicants can apply now through November 25, 2026, or until all available funds are exhausted, at FloridaJobs.org/DisasterRecovery/EBL. State regulators also advised business owners to verify contractor licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com before signing any repair agreements.
Official details (link checked October 28, 2026): https://www.floridajobs.org/news/detail/2026/10/19/icymi--governor-ron-desantis-announces-more-than--4.5-million-approved-for-florida-small-businesses-through-the-emergency-bridge-loan-program-within-10-days-following-hurricane-isaias
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
