Resources available to Tampa businesses affected by Irma

September 21, 2017

The Tampa Hillsborough EDC, along with our many local partners, want to see our community get back to work as soon as possible and continue to thrive.

With recovery efforts well under way, here are a few 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, which will help the State Emergency Response Team determine business’ needs and level of assistance.

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.

These are just a few of the resources available to businesses affected by Hurricane Irma. For additional information, please contact Steve More, the EDC’s VP of Business Development, at (813) 518-2630 or smorey@tampabayedc.com.