TAMPA (August 28, 2015) – In an effort to help businesses and families recover from the severe storms and flooding in the Tampa area, Governor Rick Scott activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

The Florida SBDC at University of South Florida will provide assistance to small businesses seeking assistance. A committee will receive and review the applications received for Bridge loan assistance.

The program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide emergency, short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses in five eligible counties to assist in reestablishing businesses during the interim period while the eligibility for other types of aid and insurance claims are being determined.

The executive order includes Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties as well as other affected areas in West Central Florida including Dixie and Taylor counties. Businesses must have 2 to 100 employees and must prove damages are as a result of the West Central Florida 2015 Flooding Event from July 25 through August 3.

Eligibility and information about the loan process can be found at http://www.floridadisasterloan.org/eligibility-and-loan-process. Applications can be accessed via the www.SBDCTampaBay.com Website, or directly at www.floridadisasterloan.org/application. Applications will be accepted under this program through September 30.