PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded an initial $2.5 million to businesses through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. This program was activated by Governor DeSantis following Hurricane Ian, to provide short-term, zero interest loans to small businesses that experienced financial impacts or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Interested applicants can apply now through December 2, 2022, or until all available funds are expended. To find more information, click here. Businesses in impacted counties that are receiving awards are:

• 28 businesses in Lee County are receiving loans totaling $1.27 million
• 8 Businesses in Collier County are receiving loans totaling $355,000
• 6 Businesses in Hillsborough County are receiving loans totaling $300,000
• 4 businesses in Charlotte County are receiving loans totaling $175,000
• 3 Businesses in Sarasota County are receiving loans totaling $150,000
• 2 Businesses in Manatee County are receiving loans totaling $100,000
• 2 Businesses in Lake County are receiving loans totaling $75,000
• 1 Business in Monroe County is receiving a loan totaling $50,000
• 1 Business in Highlands County is receiving a loan totaling $50,000

The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is intended to bridge the gap between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business can secure long-term recovery funding. Loans are available up to $50,000 per eligible applicant and are short-term, personal loans.

The loan program was authorized for a total of $50 million, of which $10 million is dedicated to agricultural businesses that sustained impacts. Businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian located in Brevard, 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 are eligible to apply. Small businesses in the most impacted counties — Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, and Sarasota — will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.

###