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Sumter County Economic Development values our business community and we want to see all of our businesses open and flourishing again.
Included below are a list of important resources that are available to businesses and individuals in Sumter County to assist in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma. If you have any questions, please call our office at 352-689-4400 or email jada.glover@sumtercountyfl.gov.
State business and industry representatives (ESF18) are manning a private sector hotline at (850) 815-4925 to respond to calls from businesses and private sector support organizations.
Small Business Recovery Guide
State Assistance
Governor Scott activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to provide short-term, interest-free loans to businesses damaged by the storm.
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Small businesses in all 67 Florida counties with two to 100 employees may apply for short-term, interest-free loans for $1,000 to $25,000 for 90 or 180-day terms. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to September 4, 2017, and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. Visit www.floridadisasterloan.org for more information and to apply for the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan program. The deadline to apply is October 31, 2017.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
DEO is assessing the damage caused by the storm. Small businesses that have incurred losses due to Hurricane Irma are asked to complete a Business Damage Assessment Survey. The survey will help the State Emergency Response Team determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses. To take the survey, please visit www.flvbeoc.org.
Federal Assistance
Following President Trump's major disaster declaration, impacted businesses may now apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Through the declaration, businesses and nonprofits in Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Saint Johns, Saint Lucie, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties in Florida are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Business Physical Disaster Loan Program
Business Physical Disaster Loans are intended to help repair or replace disaster-damaged property. Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace property, including real estate, equipment, inventory, machinery, and other business assets.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Businesses in qualifying adjacent counties may apply for up to $2 million for working capital through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations meet financial obligations and operating expenses through the disaster recovery period.
Applicants may also be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages to protect property from future damage, including adding a safe room or storm shelter.
To Apply for Physical and Economic Injury Loans
Businesses must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by mobile device at m.fema.gov or call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362 (800-462-7585 TTY). Upon registration with FEMA, businesses may apply for a disaster loan a number of ways:
- Submit an online application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela;
- Download an application from www.sba.gov/disaster and submit to a SBA disaster recovery center or mail to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155;
- Visit a SBA recovery center for one-on-one assistance; or
- Visit the Florida SBDC at UCF or its satellite service centers for assistance.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 9, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018.
FSBDC at UCF in Sumter County is Prepared to Provide Available Business Disaster Assistance
Our local office is ready to respond quickly and accurately to businesses inquires on these programs.
FSBDC local staff will be able to assist businesses in Sumter County with the Business Disaster Assistance programs from our Small Business Development Center located at The Villages Sumter County Service Center, 7375 Powell Road, Wildwood, FL 34785. You can also reach them at 352-689-4449.
Individual Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of Hurricane Irma.
DUA is available from weeks of unemployment beginning September 10, 2017 until March 17, 2018, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. To file a DUA claim go to http://www.floridajobs.org/ or call 1-800-385-3920.
Sumter County Residents Can Now Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance
Sumter County is included in the FEMA Major Disaster Declaration, triggering the release of Federal funds to help people and communities recover from Hurricane Irma.
Residents with losses due to Hurricane Irma in Sumter County may now register for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to state and federal officials. Individuals can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.
You may also register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 AM to 11 PM, seven days a week until further notice.
Applicants will need the following to apply:
Social Security Number;
Daytime telephone number;
Current mailing address, address, and zip code of the damaged property; and
Private insurance information, if available.
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