Where small business owners can look for help after hurricanes

The state and federal governments have offered small business owners access to financial assistance after the storms.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Small Business Loan Program, making $50 million available for businesses affected by Hurricane Milton. Small business owners, including sole proprietors, can apply for this loan by clicking here.

READ MORE: Here’s where to find FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in the Bay Area

According to FloridaCommerce, 41 small businesses have been helped since the storm hit Siesta Key. FloridaCommerce also said it has dispatched 23 agency workers to Charlotte County, Hillsborough County, Lee County, Manatee County, Pinellas County, and Sarasota County to help small business owners submit applications.

FEMA also provides federal assistance to small business owners facing hurricane damage in the Bay Area.

FEMA directs business owners who have suffered losses from disasters to the Small Business Administration, which can provide low-interest loans.

The SBA offers two types of loans to small business owners:

• Physical disaster loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace damaged property,
• Financial Crisis Loans – Loans that help small businesses meet their regular and necessary financial obligations.

READ MORE: Polk County residents get help from 18 insurance companies, FEMA at the Insurance Village in Lakeland

Here’s where small business owners in other Florida counties can get help:

Hillsborough County:

The SBA hosts the Business Recovery Center in Hillsborough County for business owners to learn more about applying for disaster loans.

Business Recovery Center event

• Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1 p.m
• Merchant Cooperation Center at 2101 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33605

The BRC also has hours from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays at the ECC.

BRC allows SBA Customer Service Representatives to assist business owners who want to file disaster loan applications while recovering from unprecedented economic losses caused by hurricanes.

Click here for more information or call 813-204-9267.

Hillsborough County is also encouraging business owners to take advantage of the state’s Small Business Emergency Loan Program.

Pinellas County:

Business owners with Pinellas County may also visit the Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) for additional assistance in filing hurricane-related applications. Find the nearest MARC in Pinellas County Here.

Sarasota County:

Sarasota County is encouraging small business owners dealing with damage from Hurricane Milton to take advantage of the Small Bridge Loan Program launched by Governor DeSantis earlier this week.

READ MORE: Hurricane Relief Warriors are helping clean up damaged homes throughout the Tampa Bay area

The county is asking business owners who wish to get help to fill out Business Process Resource Request. Anyone needing assistance can email BusinessRecovery@scgov.net or call (941)-861-5000.

Pasco County:

Pasco County operates Large Business Resource Centers where business owners can get help from experts from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in filing for federal programs such as Small Business Loans Small or small business loans.

MARCs are available at the following addresses:

• Hudson Regional Library, located at 8012 Library Rd, Hudson
• UF/IFAS Pasco Extension One-Stop Shop, located at 15029 14th St., Dade City

Manatee County:

Manatee County announced on Instagram post on Oct. 16 that representatives of the Small Business Administration will be at the Rocky Bluff Library, located at 6750 US-301 in Ellenton, from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Saturday. SBA representatives are available to assist small businesses in applying for SBA loans and provide additional information about resources available to them.

READ MORE: Hurricane Milton caused more than $351M in property damage in Manatee County

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