ARCADIA — Friday is the last day for local business owners, and homeowners, to apply for federal and state loans at the mobile assistant center in downtown Arcadia.
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network arrived in their MAC bus earlier this week, opening Tuesday afternoon on the corner of Hickory Street and Polk Avenue, along with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Operations are currently underway in the parking lot next to The Yellow Deli, 22 N Polk Ave, Arcadia, FL 34266.
Both agencies' goal is to help provide information for business owners, as well as to help them fill out applications for financial assistance after Hurricane Ian.
The center is open Thursday through 6 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
SBA disaster loans are the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for survivors, offering long-term, low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters, FEMA representatives wrote in an Oct. 10 news release.
SBA disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources.
FEMA urges that survivors should not wait for an insurance settlement before submitting an SBA loan application because they may discover they were underinsured for the deductible, labor and materials required to repair or replace their home.
Between the two agencies, three plans are available for businesses.
AT THE STATE LEVEL
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan (EBL) Program.
The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian.
Loans approved through program 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.
Eligible small businesses with two to 100 employees may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program.
Other stipulations for applicants:
• A business must be located in Florida.
• A business must have been established prior to September 24, 2022.
• A business must have been located in an eligible county.
• A business must have been economically or physically damaged by Hurricane Ian.
• A business must have a credit score of 600 or above and have repaid all outstanding EBLs.
Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as to view the lending guidelines and required documentation.
DEADLINE: December 2, 2022.
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL
U.S. SBA Business Physical Disaster Loan
Loan amount max: $2 million
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
DEADLINE: November 28, 2022.
U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Loan amount max: $2 million
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers EIDLs for funds up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
DEADLINE: June 29, 2023.
FOR HOMEOWNERS
U.S. SBA Home Disaster Loans
Loan amount max: $200,000 with additional options
SBA regulations limit home loans to $200,000 for the repair or replacement of real estate and $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.
Residents who rent and suffered damage also could apply for the $40,000 option.
DEADLINE: November 28, 2022.
You may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362.
Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
Paper applications may be requested by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. There is no cost to apply for an SBA disaster loan.