The Florida Small Business Development Center at UWF and the U.S Small Business Administration have opened a Business Recovery Center in front of Career Source Gulf Coast (625 Highway 231) to help Northwest Florida businesses determine if they’re eligible for disaster assistance following Hurricane Michael, and if so, how to apply for it. If a business received damage from the storm, they may be eligible for an interest-free Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, an SBA disaster loan or economic injury loan. The center will be open for one-on-one no-cost assistance Monday-Saturday from 9am-6pm.
Starting next week, the SBDC and SBA will also be co-hosting Business Recovery Centers in Marianna, Port St. Joe, Blountstown and possible Chipley. Updates will be posted at www.sbdc.uwf.edu.
Governor Rick Scott has activated the Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by the storm. The program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced physical or economic damage during Hurricane Michael. The application period is open, and runs through December 7, 2018.
The SBA has also opened the window for applications for disaster loans and economic injury loans.
Learn more about the Florida SBDC at UWF’s Disaster Preparedness and Business Continuation services at https://sbdc.uwf.edu/services/disaster-preparedness-and-business-continuity/. For more information, contact Kevin Peterson at 850-474-2552 or kpeterson@uwf.edu.