Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/14/2017

Gov. Scott activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program for small businesses damaged by Irma

Today, Florida Gov. Rick Scott activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Irma. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced physical or economic damage during the storm. The application period is from today through Oct. 31, 2017. More at Gov. Scott's news release.

Florida's office of insurance regulation issues emergency order

David Altmaier, commissioner of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, issued an emergency order Wednesday that protects policyholders from from abuse by their insurance companies in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. See the emergency order here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

New Florida law helps businesses protect against frivolous ADA lawsuits

Despite its net positive effect on the lives of millions of Floridians and visitors to the state, an unintended consequence of the ADA has been the proliferation of frivolous lawsuits aimed primarily at racking up attorney and expert-witness fees against Florida businesses and property owners. More from the Miami Herald.

Trump heads to southwestern Florida to survey Irma recovery

President Donald Trump will hear directly from people affected by Irma's fury as he makes his third visit in less than three weeks to the storm-wracked South. Trump, joined by Vice President Mike Pence, was scheduled to visit Naples and Fort Myers on Thursday. More from the Orlando Sentinel and U.S. News & World Report.

Putnam, Graham lead field for governor's race cash

— Republican Adam Putnam and Democrat Gwen Graham continued to hold financial edges over their opponents in the 2018 race for governor last month, but potential candidate House Speaker Richard Corcoran is quickly building up cash, new reports show. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida Law
Legal hotline for Irma recovery

A FEMA hotline for free legal advice on Hurricane Irma recovery went live Wednesday, for anyone dealing with the storm, but especially for those who can’t afford an attorney. The Federal Emergency Management Agency set up the hotline along with the young lawyers divisions of the Florida Bar and American Bar Association.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Business Profile
Intech Printing & Direct Mail

Think iPads, Dropbox and other digital tools have eliminated the need for the printed word? Think again, say the executives behind Naples-based Intech Printing & Direct Mail. Intech has seen sales and revenue growth every year since about 2010.