The Government of Florida activated an interest-free loan program to help small businesses that suffered damage or economic loss from Hurricane Isaias. The initiative has a budget of 10 million dollars and allows you to request up to 100,000 dollars per business, according to FloridaCommerce announced on Sunday, October 11.
It is about the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Programa temporary financing mechanism for companies affected by disasters. Applications are open until November 25, 2026 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
How much money can affected businesses receive?
Small businesses that meet the program’s conditions can apply for loans of up to $100,000. For companies in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors, the announced limit increases to $150,000.
The loans are short-term and interest-free, but They are not subsidies or non-refundable aid.: They must be returned by the people to whom they are approved. FloridaCommerce describes them as personal loans funded with state resources, designed to cover immediate needs while other financing comes in, such as an insurance payment or a longer-term recovery loan.
The $10 million corresponds to the announced budget for the program, not money already given to merchants. Submitting the application does not guarantee its approval or the granting of the maximum amount.
Which Florida businesses and counties can apply for the loans?
The program is aimed at small businesses that have suffered physical damage or economic losses from Isaías in the counties included in the call. FloridaCommerce expressly points out that sole proprietors can also request it (sole proprietors), as long as they meet the applicable requirements.
Los 30 condados elegibles son: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla y Washington.
The call does not include Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach. Therefore, it is not a line of financing open to any business in Florida, even though the program is state-run.
How to apply for the loan and what is the deadline
The application is processed through the Official FloridaCommerce Emergency Loan Portalwhere interested parties must consult the current conditions, instructions and required documentation before completing the form.
The published deadline ends on November 25, 2026unless the game is exhausted before. It is advisable to check availability on the official portal: the initial announcement does not constitute confirmation that funds are still available at the time of each request.
To resolve questions, FloridaCommerce offers the telephone 833-832-4494Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm (Eastern Time), and email [email protected].
The statement of October 11 does not specify the exact return period nor does it detail in its text all the necessary documents. Before accepting the loan, each applicant must review the updated conditions and payment obligations of their contract.
Help other than insurance and FEMA claims
Bridge loans seek to provide liquidity to companies while they resolve their financial recovery; They are not a substitute for insurance payments nor are they direct payments from FEMA. Florida activated, separately, an in-person center in Destin to provide guidance on insurance claims.
For people and families affected by the hurricane, there are also other resources, such as the 211 telephone number to locate community services, food and shelters, collected by CiberCuba in its assistance guide after Isaiah. These services are different from the credit program intended for small businesses.
Source: www.cibercuba.com
