FloridaCommerce Announces Funding to Support Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Debby

Tallahassee, Fla. - FloridaCommerce has approved more than $1.5 million in funding through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby. To date, 42 businesses have been approved to receive these funds to bridge the gap while they wait on other funding, such as insurance, with more applications being approved every day.

"Under Governor DeSantis' leadership, FloridaCommerce was on the ground immediately following Hurricane Debby, providing support to businesses to meet their immediate needs for recovery," saidFlorida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Through the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, Florida businesses are able to keep their doors open, supporting the entire economic ecosystem."

FloridaCommerce administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation. Loans made under this program are short-term, zero-interest, personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants, and loans must be repaid by the approved applicant.

Eligible small businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program, and loans of up to $100,000 are available for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to "bridge the gap" between the time a disaster impacts a business and when the business has secured longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources.

Small businesses in Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties are eligible to apply through September 30, 2024.

Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application by the September 30, 2024 deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time

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