SBA to Change Business Recover Center Hours in Manatee and Sarasota; Deadline to Apply for SBA Physical Disaster Loans Approaching in Florida

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is changing the hours at the Manatee County Business Recovery Center (BRC) to Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday. The Sarasota Business Recovery Centers hours will be changing to Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. These changes will go in effect beginning Sunday, Sept. 9. SBA reminds businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters in Florida affected by Hurricane Debby, to apply for physical damage disaster loans by the Oct. 9 deadline

The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Leon, Marion, Polk, Putnam, Union and Wakulla in Florida and Brooks, Clinch, Echols, Lowndes and Thomas in Georgia.

Those affected by the disaster should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

Applicants can still get assistance at SBA's Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Ellenton, Sarasota and Yankeetown. Customer Service Representatives at the BRCs will help business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application's status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center in advance. The Centers addresses and hours of operation are indicated below.

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Levy County

Yankeetown Town Hall

6241 Harmony Ln

Yankeetown, FL 34498

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Manatee County

Rocky Bluff Branch Library

6750 US-301

Ellenton, FL 34222

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Friday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Sarasota County

Sarasota Christian Church

2923 Ashton Rd

Sarasota, FL 34231

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

With the changes to FEMA's Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant.

For more information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email [email protected] for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Oct. 9, 2024. The deadline to submit economic injury applications is May 12, 2025.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.