20221020 Governor Ron DeSantis waives eligibility requirements for Florida Small Business Emergency Bridging Loan Program, allowing sole proprietors of marine fisheries to receive critical assistance

October 20, 2022

Waiver of this eligibility requirement allows sole proprietors of marine fisheries located in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardy, Lee and Sarasota counties to apply

Today, Gov. Ron DeSantis waived eligibility requirements for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridging Loan Program, permitting new loans in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardy, Lee and Sarasota County-owned marine fisheries sole proprietors receive critical assistance. The announcement comes after Governor DeSantis last week asked the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to release a federal fisheries disaster to allow access to federal funding.

Additionally, Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle and Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie met with marine industry business owners and employees at a pop-up disaster recovery center yesterday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a focus on resource fisheries for Floridians in the ocean . Minister Eagle and Director Guthrie were able to understand and support the hurdles the industry faced as it recovered from Hurricane Ian.

“The impact of Hurricane Ian on our marine fisheries has been huge and far-reaching,” he said. Governor Ron DeSantis“I am committed to ensuring that Florida’s fisheries remain viable, which includes supporting Floridians who depend on the water for a living.”

Through this program to Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glaze, Hardy, Hendry, Heights, Hillsborough, $50 million for small businesses in Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns County and Volusia County. The $10 million loan program is earmarked for small businesses of agricultural producers. Small businesses in the most affected counties (Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardy, Lee, and Sarasota) will be upgraded and prioritized upon receipt.

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ strong leadership and compassionate approach to ensuring that Floridians and their businesses can recover quickly from the impact Hurricane Ian has had on their livelihoods, the sole proprietor of the marine fisheries industry made a statement during the summer. Lott, Collier have businesses, and DeSoto, Hardy, Lee and Sarasota counties can now apply for this critical assistance,” he said. DEO Secretary Dane Eagle. “Florida Small Business Owners in Need are encouraged to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridging Loan Program at www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL.”

Marine fishery industry sole proprietors with businesses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardy, Lee, and Sarasota counties interested in applying for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridging Loan Program must provide proof that the business is Marine Fisheries part of the documentation industry.

Administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), this program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that have suffered financial or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now until December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are exhausted.

Loans approved through the Emergency Bridging Loan Program are designed to “bridge” the gap between a disaster-affected business and the business’ access to long-term recovery funding, such as federal or business loans, insurance claims or other resources. Eligible small businesses can apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program.

Loans made under the program are short-term, zero-interest personal loans using Florida funds. They are not grants and loans must be repaid by approved applicants.

DEO manages the Emergency Bridging Loan Program with its financial administrator, Florida Capital One Financial.

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as review loan guidelines and required documents, and complete your application by the December 2, 2022 deadline. Business owners needing more program information can call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Update: Thursday, October 20, 2022

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