TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, which offers “bridge loans” to help companies deal with temporary operational gaps after events like Hurricane Ian.

The maximum loan per business is $50,000 at zero interest, and owners have one year to pay the money back. They’re personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants and must be repaid by the approved applicant.

The state is making $50 million available, and at least $10 million of that must go to small agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ian in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, and Volusia counties

Applications from small businesses in the most impacted counties – Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota – will be prioritized as they’re received.

Eligibility requirements

The business must:

• Be located in Florida
• Be established prior to Sept. 24, 2022
• Be located in an eligible county
• Be economically injured or physically damaged by Hurricane Ian
• Employ two to 100 employees
• Borrowers must have a credit score of 600 or above
• Have all outstanding previous Emergency Bridge Loans paid off

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) oversees the bridge-loan program. Interested applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended.

Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view lending guidelines and required documentation, and to complete an application before the Dec. 2, 2022, deadline.

Business owners who need further information may also call (833) 832-4494 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Time, or email [email protected].

By Kerry Smith | © 2022 Florida Realtors®