Of the $50M authorized for bridge loans (up to $50K) to help businesses survive damage from Hurricane Ian, $2.5M has been disbursed so far across nine counties.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program has disbursed 5% of its allocated money so far – $2.5 million – according to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The program provides $50 million in short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses harmed financially or physically by Hurricane Ian. Of that total, $10 million is dedicated to agricultural businesses. Small businesses in the most impacted counties – Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota – will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.

Eligible counties for emergency bridge loans

  • Brevard
  • Charlotte
  • Collier
  • DeSoto
  • Flagler
  • Glades
  • Hardee
  • Hendry
  • Highlands
  • Hillsborough
  • Lake
  • Lee
  • Manatee
  • Monroe
  • Orange
  • Osceola
  • Pinellas
  • Polk
  • Putnam
  • Sarasota
  • Seminole
  • St. Johns
  • Volusia

Interested applicants can apply now through Dec. 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended. To find more information or apply for a bridge loan, visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website.

Loans approved so far

  • 28 in Lee County receiving loans totaling $1.27 million
  • 8 in Collier County receiving loans totaling $355,000
  • 6 in Hillsborough County receiving loans totaling $300,000
  • 4 in Charlotte County receiving loans totaling $175,000
  • 3 in Sarasota County receiving loans totaling $150,000
  • 2 in Manatee County receiving loans totaling $100,000
  • 2 in Lake County receiving loans totaling $75,000
  • 1 in Monroe County receiving $50,000
  • 1 in Highlands County receiving $50,000

For more information on Hurricane Ian recovery efforts and survivor options, visit Florida Realtors Hurricane Recovery Center.

© 2022 Florida Realtors®

Go to Source
Author: kerrys