Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

If you are a small business owner and your business has been adversely affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, you may now apply for an interest-free loan through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. Gov. Charlie Crist has allocated $5 million from General Revenue to fund the bridge loan program.

Small business applicants are eligible for up to $25,000 in interest-free assistance for up to 12 months to help bridge the gap between the time a catastrophe hits and when the business secures other resources, including payment of BP claims, federal disaster assistance, profits from revived business or long-term loans.

Counties currently approved for the emergency bridge loan program are: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Monroe, Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

"Though BP may be the responsible party, we will continue to help ourselves by being proactive in supporting Florida businesses and families. Providing a much-needed source of financial relief to our businesses will help secure Florida's future economy." - Governor Charlie Crist

http://www.floridaoilhelp.com/