ORLANDO, Fla. — Home and business owners who need in-person help navigating hurricane-recovery resources can visit Florida Small Business Development Center Network’s mobile assistance center and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Centers this week.
The Florida SBDC, in partnership with state and federal agencies, has been on the ground in impacted communities to help small business owners get connected with disaster assistance. The mobile assistance center will be located at the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce, 222 10th Street West, Bradenton, today (Oct. 21) through Thursday (Oct. 24), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The SBDC can help business owners apply for Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans, which provide short-term, zero-interest working capital loans, among other types of assistance. Business Emergency Bridge Loans are available up for to $50,000 per eligible applicant. Click here to apply online.
Hurricane Helene eligible counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties.
Hurricane Milton eligible counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties.
For questions about loan programs, call 833-832-4494 (Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) or email [email protected].
FEMA aid
FEMA opened 10 Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Debby. Survivors of any of the storms can visit any center.
Citrus County
West Citrus Community Center
8940 W. Veterans Drive
Homosassa, FL 34448
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Columbia County
Lake City Reporter
180 E. Duval St.
Lake City, FL 32055
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Gilchrist County
Gilchrist County Fire Station #2
460 NW County Road 138
Branford, FL 32008
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Hillsborough County (Mobile Center)
David Barksdale Senior Citizen Center
1801 N. Lincoln Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Madison County
The Bridge Church
1135 US East 90
Madison, FL 32340
Open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday
Manatee County
GT Bray Park
5502 33rd Avenue Drive W
Bradenton, FL 34209
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Pinellas County
Botanical Gardens – Magnolia Room
12520 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33774
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Sarasota County
Sarasota Municipal Auditorium
801 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Suwannee County
Hale Park
215 Duval St. NE
Live Oak, FL 32064
Open 9 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Taylor County
Loughridge Park
1100 W. Hampton Springs Ave.
Perry, FL 32347
Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday
In addition to the Disaster Recovery Centers, Disaster Survivor Assistance staff are at the following location helping survivors apply for assistance:
Baker CountyFaith Bible Church15902 US-90 Sanderson, FL 32087Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
Homeowners and renters can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app or by calling 800-621-3362.
FEMA has a variety of programs and support services available to help survivors including temporary housing through FEMA-provided assistance like serious needs assistance, transitional sheltering assistance (if approved for their location), displacement assistance, rental assistance or lodging expense reimbursement.
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