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Help Available For Flood Damaged Businesses
May 13, 2014
The Florida Small Business Development Center has deployed its emergency response Mobile Assistance Center in downtown Pensacola. Equipped with laptops, printers, satellite communications, supplies and more, the MAC provides easy access for small business owners impacted by the recent storms and flooding to receive consultation from FSBDC consultants.
The FSBDC at UWF has partnered with the Greater Pensacola Chamber to locate the MAC next to the Chamber at 117 W. Garden Street (in the parking lot off of Spring Street). FSBDC consultants will be available for consultation in the MAC and at the Chamber Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
“Our goal is to ensure that all businesses within our community that were affected by the recent storm and flooding events have access to resources and support in order to recover as quickly as possible,” said Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden. “Having the MAC located here will provide business owners who have questions relating to disaster loans, federal assistance and application preparations with a convenient location.”
Following the disaster declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made available both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). According to a news release from the SBA, small businesses and most private non-profit organizations in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties in Florida are eligible to apply. The purpose of an EIDL is to provide small business owners with low interest loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business has suffered any physical property damage. Governor Rick Scott recently reactivated the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to provide loans for physical damage to a business only.
As a principal responder in the state’s Emergency Support Function (ESF) 18 for Business & Industry, the Florida SBDC Network is a key economic development organization that supports disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation through its Business Continuation services.
“Businesses may contact our office for assistance in the preparation of supporting documents that FEMA, the SBA and the State of Florida Bridge Loan will require,” added Massey. “We want businesses to know that we’re here and we can provide consultation at no cost. Many of our consultants are battle-tested with previous experience with disaster assistance.”
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 7, 2014. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 6, 2015. For more information regarding disaster assistance, please contact the Florida SBDC at UWF at (850) 474-2528 or the Florida SBDC at UWF – Fort Walton Beach at (850) 863-6552.
Pictured top: Greater Pensacola Chamber President Jerry Maygarden (left) and Kelly Massey, Regional Director for the Florida SBDC at the University of West Florida, discuss available assistance for local-area businesses affected by the recent severe storms. Pictured inset: The The Florida Small Business Development Center (FSBDC) at the University of West Florida’s Mobile Assistance Center (MAC). Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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