TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program on Wednesday to support agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Michael.
The program will have $25 million to help agricultural producers prepare for the upcoming growing seasons as part of ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael.
Designated disaster areas include Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties. The application period runs through June 30.
“Since day one, my administration has been laser-focused on making sure Floridians in Northwest Florida completely recover from Hurricane Michael,” said Governor DeSantis. “The activation of the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program will provide much-needed relief to Florida farmers whose crops were decimated by this storm and will help in our efforts to bring Northwest Florida back stronger than before.”
Florida agricultural producers with land in production that has suffered physical damage and/or economic injury as a result of Hurricane Michael can apply for the short-term loans up to $200,000. To be eligible, the agricultural producer must have been established prior to Oct. 7, 2018.
To complete an application by the June 30 deadline, or for more information on the program, visit www.floridadisasterloan.org [floridadisasterloan.org]. For questions regarding the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org.
