SBA Disaster Loans are Now Available for Impacted Businesses in Pinellas County

Your Business May Be Eligible for Financial Assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA is now offering the following disaster loan assistance to businesses in Pinellas County impacted by Hurricane Idalia:

Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

FEMA Pre-Registration Helpline

Pinellas County continues to work with the State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obtain additional assistance.

The FEMA Helpline for pre-registration for assistance is available at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Residents who use TTY may call 1-800-462-7585.

Please note, that homes impacted with even a few inches of water may be considered for major damage.

For assistance with lodging, food, crisis cleanup, and other services offered by area nonprofits, please visit https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is now available at www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL. The loan program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, zero-interest loans, in an amount of up to $50,000, to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Idalia. These loans 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. Businesses in Pinellas County are eligible to apply by the October 25, 2023 deadline, or until all available funds are expended.

Lodging Assistance Program

Sign up to help displaced residents by participating in the FEMA Emergency Lodging Assistance Program

Hotels: Register now with FEMA and get paid to house disaster victims who can’t stay at home.

Pinellas County Emergency Management is asking hotels to register to participate in the Emergency Lodging Assistance Program. This program is administered by CLC Lodging on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA will provide direct payment to hotels that house pre-qualified individuals from disaster areas. If FEMA activates lodging assistance for our area, hotels that are registered may participate. Register online.

Recovery Resources

If you have other disaster recovery needs, please call (727) 453-7200 or email businesshelp@pinellas.gov to make a consulting appointment with an expert from the Florida SBDC Network at Pinellas County.

For the latest disaster recovery updates, visit https://disaster.pinellas.govReport Damages:Report damages to roads and public infrastructure.Report damages on homes.Report damages to businesses.Have questions, concerns, or needs? FloridaCommerce has activated the private sector hotline at 850-815-4925 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Inquiries may also be emailed to ESF18@em.myflorida.com. For more business resources, please see State Resources and Federal Resources pages.

Important links:

Information from Pinellas County Economic Development.