Federal Aid Available for Hillsborough County Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Hermine

From Hillsborough County:

Hillsborough County, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2016) – Hillsborough County businesses that were impacted by Hurricane Hermine still have time to apply for low-interest disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Additionally, Hillsborough County businesses that were impacted by Hurricane Matthew can still apply for loans through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

Federal aid available through U.S. Small Business AdministrationAccording to the SBA, 135 disaster loans have been approved in the amount of $5.4 million for affected businesses and residents. The disaster loans are available to Hillsborough County businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to cover uninsured losses from the disaster. Eligible businesses and residents can apply for a loan atsba.gov/disaster until Nov. 28, 2016.

Hillsborough County businesses interested in learning more about the SBA low-interest disaster loans can contact the SBA Customer Service Center at sba.gov/disaster or by calling (800) 659-2955 or (800) 877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

State aid available through Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Hillsborough County businesses that were impacted by Hurricane Matthew still have time to apply for short-term, interest-free loans through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Available through the Florida SBDC Network, the program provides assistance for small businesses impacted by the storm until other resources, such as insurance payments, are available. Eligible small businesses can apply for the program at floridadisasterloan.org until Nov. 11, 2016.

Under the program, eligible small businesses with two to 100 employees can apply for loans for up to $25,000 for 90 or 180 day terms. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Oct. 3, 2016 and demonstrate economic or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

Small businesses interested in learning more about the Emergency Bridge Loan Program can contact the Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County at (813) 204-9267 or email Carol Johns atjohnsc@hcflgov.net.

Additional information about Hillsborough County’s small business resources can be found at HCFLGov.net.

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