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Help for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

Small businesses in Florida that were affected by Hurricane Idalia can now receive assistance through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Governor Ron DeSantis has recently announced over $1.6 million in funding approved for these businesses.

The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, aims to provide short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that have suffered economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Idalia. This funding will help these businesses reopen and resume their operations.

Applicants interested in this program can apply now through Wednesday, October 25 or until all available funds are expended. The program is open to eligible businesses, including sole proprietors, in various Florida counties such as 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.

The Florida Secretary of Commerce, J. Alex Kelly, expressed appreciation for Governor DeSantis’ immediate response after the storm, stating that FloridaCommerce was on the ground offering critical resources like the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan to help affected individuals and businesses recover quickly.

A total of $20 million has been allocated for the program, with $5 million specifically dedicated to agriculture and aquaculture small businesses. Eligible small businesses can apply for loans of up to $50,000, while agriculture and aquaculture small businesses can access loans of up to $100,000 to support their recovery.

The Emergency Bridge Loan Program’s primary purpose is to bridge the gap between the time a disaster impacts a business and when the business secures longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources.

Small business owners in Florida who require assistance are encouraged to visit the official website of FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The website also provides additional information about the program, including lending guidelines, required documentation, and the submission process before the October 25 deadline.

For further program information, business owners can contact 833-832-4494 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time.

DeSantis Calls for Federal Fisheries Disaster Declaration

Aside from the funding dedicated to small business recovery, Governor DeSantis has urged the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to issue a federal fisheries disaster declaration to support the rebuilding of the fishing industry in the Big Bend area affected by Hurricane Idalia.

A federal fisheries disaster declaration would provide access to federal funding, subject to appropriation, to aid in the restoration of offshore, nearshore, and inshore fisheries. Florida boasts the highest number of saltwater fishing anglers in the U.S., which generates a substantial $9.2 billion impact on the state’s economy. Additionally, the dockside value of commercial fisheries is estimated at $244 million.

This financial assistance would help fishermen replace lost income and rebuild their businesses and infrastructure that were adversely affected by the hurricane.

The AI legalese decoder can play a significant role in assisting small businesses to navigate the application process for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. It can provide a user-friendly interface to guide applicants through the required documentation, ensure correct completion of the application, and simplify the overall application procedure. By leveraging AI technology, the legalese decoder makes the application process more efficient and accessible, allowing businesses to receive the aid they need promptly.

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