FloridaCommerce activates the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

FloridaCommerce announced that Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $3 million available for businesses impacted by the recent severe weather that impacted South Florida. Small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Businesses in Broward, Collier, Lee, Miami-Dade and Sarasota counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply.

The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to flooding in South Florida. Interested applicants can apply now through Aug. 12, or until all available funds are expended.

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, FloridaCommerce is able to quickly launch the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program to the bridge funding gap for small businesses affected by the flooding in South Florida,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “This program provides immediate, critical financial support, putting cash-in-hand to help businesses keep employees on payroll, make critical repairs and get their doors back open.”

Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources.

FloridaCommerce administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation. Loans made under this program are short-term, zero-interest, personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants and loans must be repaid by the approved applicant.

Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application by the Aug. 12 deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call (833) 832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.