Hurricane Ian News
SBA and the Florida SBDC Network Launch Pilot Initiative to Help Businesses with Appeal Process
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Florida Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC) today announced a new pilot program geared toward helping businesses qualify for SBA disaster loans. The pilot program will re-examine the applications of businesses that did not meet approval qualifications and were declined for an SBA disaster loan.…
Read MoreGovernor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Announce Funding to Repair Homes and Meet Unmet Needs of Hurricane Ian Impacted Residents
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis were joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie to announce that up to $25 million in state funding to purchase building materials and up to $35.2 million in generous donations to the Florida Disaster Fund will be used to allow verified nonprofit…
Read MoreFEMA Advances Equity: Policy Change Provides Over $169 Million to Disaster Survivors for Mold Remediation
WASHINGTON — This week, FEMA announced over $169 million in additional assistance has been provided to survivors because of a policy update which expanded home repair assistance to specifically address applicants with remediating disaster-caused mold growth. Because of the policy update, more than 111,000 additional applicants have been able to get assistance. In August 2021, under…
Read MoreU.S. Small Business Administration to Offer Disaster Loans with No Interest and No Payments for First Year
WASHINGTON– Today, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, announced the Agency will waive the interest rate for the first year on new disaster loans and extend the initial payment deferment period automatically to 12 months. “We…
Read MoreBusey Bank donates temporary office space to Greater Fort Myers Chamber after hurricane
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Busey Bank has donated the temporary use of its office space to The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce while the organization works to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. The Chamber has operated from its office on Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers since 2004. The space received extensive water damage due…
Read MoreEmillions Art Launches Community Initiative to Help Restore Naples Post Hurricane Ian
Emillions Art announced a communitywide initiative “Mosaic of Memories: The Naples Pier Project,” an art-driven fundraiser to help restore the community and celebrate the strength and resilience of Naples in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. The project will benefit first responders locally and rebuilding of the pier. The Naples-based art gallery and consultancy is partnering…
Read MoreLee County launches housing website to better connect Hurricane Ian-impacted residents with resources
Fort Myers, FL – To better assist Hurricane Ian-impacted residents connect with state, federal and other partnering entities for housing needs, Lee County has launched a new landing page at its storm website. Now www.leegov.com/storm features a one-stop location for housing resources. Click on the house icon, or look for “Housing” in the left rail. …
Read MoreSBA Extends Deadline to Jan. 12 for Florida Businesses and Residents to Apply for Physical Disaster Loans for Hurricane Ian
ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today it will extend its deadline to Jan. 12 to give Florida businesses and residents more time to apply for federal disaster loans for physical damages that occurred from Sept. 23 through Nov. 4 due to Hurricane Ian. The disaster declaration includes the Florida counties of…
Read MoreFEMA Advances Accessibility: Policy Change Provides Over $559 Million to Disaster Survivors Who Would Have Been Previously Ineligible for Assistance
WASHINGTON — This week, FEMA announced that over $559 million was provided to survivors in additional assistance as a result of a policy change which expanded acceptable forms of documents to prove home ownership and occupancy. Because of the policy update, more than 100,000 additional applicants have been able to get assistance as renters and owners. In…
Read MoreChamber celebrates two businesses seeing islands through recovery
Post-hurricane business reopenings continue to inspire ribbon-cutting celebrations for the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. On Thursday, Dec. 15, The Shack of Sanibel at 1219 Periwinkle Way and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s main office at 2406 Periwinkle Way brought the community out to honor the occasions. “Ice cream and money!” said John Lai,…
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