News

Hurricane Milton will be approaching Florida mid-week

10/07/2024

Milton is currently a Tropical Storm located in the lower Caribbean in the Bay of Campeche traveling East/ Northeast into the Gulf of Mexico. The system will encounter very favorable conditions to develop over the next 24 – 48 hours, most likely becoming a major hurricane in the Gulf by Tuesday. The various models are…

Governor Ron DeSantis issues updates on state preparedness for Hurricane Milton

10/07/2024

Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue at the State Emergency Operations Center to provide updates on preparedness efforts for Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton is forecast to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula and across the southern Gulf…

Lee County government offers update on Hurricane Milton

10/07/2024

Hurricane Milton is forecast to bring wind, life-threatening storm surge and localized flooding to Lee County later this week. Residents need to: Revisit their family emergency plan. Check their emergency supply kits. Secure objects around homes. Monitor local meteorologists’ reports. Sign up for AlertLee. Monitor www.leegov.com/storm and Lee County social media channels. Lee County anticipates announcing at…

Fort Myers Beach offers Hurricane Milton update

10/07/2024

The Town of Fort Myers Beach Emergency Management continues to monitor Hurricane Milton. The storm continues to quickly intensify as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida. The Town of Fort Myers Beach has issued a mandatory evacuation for the entire Island. For the safety of you and your family, the Town urges…

Collier County Commissioners holding emergency meeting on Hurricane Milton

10/06/2024

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners will hold an Emergency Special Meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners chambers, third floor, Collier County Government Center, 3299 Tamiami Trail East, Naples. The meeting will be broadcast live and close captioned on Collier Television and colliercountyfl.gov. The Board’s agenda will include, but…

$60 million available through Emergency Bridge Loan Program to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene

10/06/2024

FloridaCommerce announced the availability of $60 million to support local governments recovering from Hurricane Helene through the local government emergency bridge loan program. In the 2024 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1420, which was then signed into law by Governor DeSantis, extending the repayment term to 10 years. This thoughtful change by the…

Direct Relief makes $74 million in medical aid to communities impacted by Helene

10/03/2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, Direct Relief has made available $74 million in medicines and medical supplies and $250,000 in financial assistance to community health centers, free and charitable clinics, and other healthcare partners in affected areas. With emergency response teams on the ground in impacted states, Direct Relief is working in collaboration with…

CareerSource mobile units helping with Hurricane Helene assistance on Oct. 3 & 4

10/02/2024

CareerSource Southwest Florida is providing assistance to Charlotte and Lee County residents and businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Receive help with Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans, Disaster Unemployment Assistance and other business and employee resources October 3 and 4 from 10 a.m-.3 p.m. each day. No appointment is necessary. CareerSource Southwest Florida center at…

FloridaCommerce awards more than $2.2 million through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

10/02/2024

FloridaCommerce has approved more than $2.1 million in funding through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. To date, 55 businesses have been approved to receive these funds to bridge the gap while they wait on other funding, such as insurance, with more applications being approved daily.…

FloridaCommerce activates the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

09/30/2024

FloridaCommerce activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. 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 the following counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply: Alachua, Baker,…