Recovery Begins Now: Important Resources Available for Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Irma
September 15, 2017
The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation would like to see our business community get back to work as soon as possible and THRIVE.
So that recovery can begin now, we’ve compiled a list of important resources available to businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma:
Business Damage Assessment Survey
Small businesses that have incurred losses due to Hurricane Irma are asked to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey. The survey will help the State Emergency Response Team determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses.
Small Business Recovery Guide
When a disaster occurs, businesses must take care of their employees’ needs, communicate the impact, address financial matters (e.g., insurance, disaster assistance), restore operations, and organize recovery. For more details, visit: www.uschamberfoundation.org/ccc
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Small businesses in all 67 Florida counties with two to 100 employees may apply for short-term, interest-free loans for $1,000 to $25,000 for 90 or 180-day terms. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to September 4, 2017, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2017.
SBA Business Physical Disaster Loans
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace property, including real estate, equipment, inventory, machinery, and other business assets. Intended to help repair or replace disaster-damaged property. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 9, 2017.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018.
To Apply for Physical and Economic Injury Loans
Businesses must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.disasterassistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov. or call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY).
Upon registration with FEMA, businesses may apply for a disaster loan a number of ways:
* Submit an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
* Download an application from www.sba.gov/disaster and submit to a SBA disaster recovery center or mail to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155;
* Visit the Hillsborough County SBA recovery center,
World Trade Center Tampa Bay
FSBDC at University of South Florida (USF)
1101Channelside Dr., # 201
Tampa, for one-on-one assistance; or
* Visit their local Florida SBDC for assistance.
Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail).
IRS Tax Relief
The IRS is providing help to the victims of Hurricane Irma. Special tax relief and assistance is available to taxpayers in the Presidential Disaster Areas.
Tampa Community Assistance Centers
The City of Tampa Housing and Community Development staff is available to assist area residents in making an application to FEMA for assistance.
TECO Power Outage Map
Real time power outdate data updates, TECO expects all customers to be back in service by end of day on Sunday, Sept. 17 and are updating the estimated time to restore individual outages they address each major set of work.
