Florida opens interest-free loans of up to $100,000 for businesses
Florida just launched $10,000,000 in interest-free loans.
The short version
- Businesses can borrow up to $100,000 to cover losses.
- Agriculture companies can qualify for up to $150,000.
- Applications close on November 25, 2026.
- This money must be fully repaid by borrowers.
The Florida government launched an interest-free loan program to assist small businesses that suffered damage or economic losses due to Hurricane Isaias. The initiative allocates a budget of $10,000,000 and allows businesses to apply for up to $100,000, as announced by FloridaCommerce, the state economic development agency, on Sunday, October 11.
This is the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, a temporary financing mechanism for businesses affected by disasters. Applications are open until November 25, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first according to CiberCuba. Small businesses that meet the program requirements can apply for loans of up to $100,000.
For companies in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, the announced limit increases to $150,000. The loans are short-term and interest-free, but they are not grants or non-repayable aid: they must be repaid by the individuals to whom they are approved. FloridaCommerce describes them as personal loans funded with state resources, designed to cover immediate needs while awaiting other financing, such as insurance payments or a longer-term recovery loan.
The program is aimed at small businesses that have experienced physical damage or economic losses due to Isaias in 30 eligible counties, which exclude Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Sole proprietors may also apply, as long as they meet the applicable requirements.
To resolve any questions, FloridaCommerce offers the phone number 833-832-4494, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. To 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, and the email [email protected].
Official details (link checked November 2, 2026): https://www.floridajobs.org/news/detail/2026/10/11/floridacommerce-activates-the-florida-small-business-emergency-bridge-loan-program--making--10-million-available-for-businesses-impacted-by-hurricane-isaias
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
