Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Florida Emergency Management and the FSBDC Network Partner to Demonstrate Drought Disaster in Florida

Pensacola — The drought has affected many Florida businesses and their revenue stream. To assist with the problem the Florida Division of Emergency Management is currently working toward obtaining a SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Declaration for Florida businesses that have suffered sustained economic loss in the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, St. Lucie, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDCN) and its Business Continuity and Risk Management Program (BCRM) are supporting this effort. Once impact of the drought is demonstrated and SBA makes a Declaration, those businesses and others will be eligible to apply for low interest SBA loans. The period of significant economic loss is January 1 through June 30 and the amount of loss must be 40% or greater.

The information, along with completed worksheets, should be submitted to the local county emergency management office in the impacted counties no later than July 13. SBDC personnel will assist businesses in completing the forms and forwarding to the emergency management office as needed.

The Florida SBDCs and the BCRM are supporting this effort through alerting business to the opportunity; assisting with revenue loss projections; and helping to complete the needed worksheets at no charge. SBDCs are conveniently located across Florida at seven Florida universities and seven community colleges, economic development offices, chamber offices and other appropriate sites. In total, there are 35 SBDC locations. Their exact locations can be gained by going to www.FloridaSBDC.com and calling for an appointment. Click on the Dare to Prepare button on the FSBDCN homepage for forms and instructions for preparing the Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet. To contact county emergency management offices go to http://www.floridadisaster.org/fl_county_em.asp. BCRM program headquarters are in Pensacola, but SBDC employees across Florida can assist the business. The BCRM may be reached at 850.473.7800. SBDC@FAMU at 850.599.3407 and the SBDC website.

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance enabling overall growth and increased profitability that contributes to the economic prosperity of the state. For more information about the FSBDCN, visit our website at www.FloridaSBDC.com.