PINELLAS COUNTY, FLA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses in Pinellas County impacted by Red Tide.

U.S. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans

These working capital loans are intended to assist small businesses in meeting their financial obligations through the disaster recovery period. The maximum interest rate for this program is 3.385 percent with loan terms up to 30 years. The application is available online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/elaand the deadline to apply is June 4, 2019.

The SBA Business Recovery Center for Pinellas County will open on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., at the St. Petersburg College EpiCenter, Suite 2-200, 13805 58th Street N., Clearwater, Florida. Local businesses are encouraged to visit this office to review their options and receive assistance with their application.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loans

The Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development continues to assist local businesses with the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

Florida’s Emergency Bridge Loans provide small business owners with two to 100 employees with interest-free loans of up to $50,000 for 180 days. Small businesses impacted by the red tide in Pinellas County may apply for Bridge Loans assistance through October 12, 2018.

Red Tide Damage Assessment Survey

Pinellas businesses are encouraged to complete Florida’s Business Damage Assessment Survey to report the impacts of red tide to their operations at www.PCED.org/damage.

Questions?

For questions regarding loans, damage assessments and business assistance, please contact the Florida Small Business Development Center at Pinellas County Economic Development at (727) 453-7200.

Pinellas County Economic Development (PCED)works with existing businesses to encourage expansion and seeks to attract new companies with high-wage careers to our community. Through investment tools, business classes, professional consulting services, trade missions to open new markets, and strategic partnerships, PCED fosters a pro-business environment and promotes the ideal business climate of Pinellas County, Florida.