Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/17/2018

Florida's deadline to apply for a SBA disaster loan is today

The deadline to apply for a physical assistance disaster loan from the Small Business Administration is December 17. Businesses of all sizes, non-profit organizations, homeowners, and renters are all eligible to apply for a loan from the SBA. More from WTVY.

Red tide nearly entirely gone from Florida waters

If you're planning to head to any Southwest Florida beaches this week but are worried about the possibility of red tide, you're in luck. The latest red tide map from the Florida Fish and Wildlife shows little to no red tide concentrations along the Gulf coast or anywhere in the state. More from FOX 4.

Tampa Bay area brewery welcomed with open arms abroad

Will Chileans drink American craft beer made some 4,300 miles away from their South American homes? A Tampa Bay area brewery is about to find out. Big Storm Brewery, an independent craft brewery with operations in Pasco and Pinellas counties, plus Cape Coral in Lee County, was one of eight local companies to take part in a trade mission to Santiago. More from the Business Observer.

Greater Gainesville chamber names Eric Godet as CEO

The Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce announced Friday its pick for its new president and CEO. Eric Godet, who has served as interim CEO since August, was announced as the chamber’s permanent replacement for former president and CEO Susan Davenport, who left her post in August after accepting a job in Texas. More from the Gainesville Sun.

Sand project is underway south of Port Canaveral for second time in a year

As Port Canaveral's federally funded project to replenish sand on the beaches south of the port gets underway, some local residents are questioning why this project is being done now, when another sand project was done just a year ago. More from Florida Today.

Profile
Salvage Santa

Mike Jones, also known as Salvage Santa, repairs bikes and toys to give children on Christmas in Panama City. His home and workshop were damaged in Hurricane Michael, so he is collecting donations from others this year.

» More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida 500
Paul Hsu

Paul Hsu, FOUNDER of HSU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, tells us: “After building three high-tech companies, I decided to devote myself to HSU Educational Foundation, with a mission to encourage excellence in teaching and innovation in the classroom."