Contact: Stacey Swank, Business Development Manager

Pinellas County Economic Development

(727) 464-7425 or sswank@co.pinellas.fl.us

SBA Administrator Hector Barreto Visits Pinellas
to Promote Partnership and Preparation
in the Aftermath of Hurricane Charley

Hector V. Barreto, Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), met Tuesday with Pinellas County Commission Chairman, Susan Latvala, County Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd, Pinellas County Economic Development Director, Mike Meidel, local SBA lenders, and representatives of the business community to discuss ongoing relief efforts by the agency in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.  Mr. Barreto took the opportunity to promote the importance of preparation and partnership to support local companies in times of need, as well as throughout the business cycle.  He noted that 30% of the SBA’s regional small business clients are located in Pinellas County, so outreach to the business community through SBA partners is crucial.

Current relief efforts for businesses in Charlotte County and affected areas include the State of Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program, funded by the State of Florida, and administered locally by Pinellas County’s GulfCoast Business Finance, Inc. provides short-term loans to businesses experiencing difficulty surviving or re-starting as a result of Hurricane Charley’s impact.  Loans of up to $25,000, with terms of 90 or 180 days, are available for affected area businesses in Charlotte, De Soto, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Mr. Meidel, Director of Pinellas County Economic Development encouraged area businesses to learn from this storm that bypassed Pinellas County.  “Our local companies should look at this as a reminder and an opportunity to prepare. Take a moment to call or email Pinellas County Economic Development’s Business Development Center at (727) 453-7200 or businesshelp@siliconbay.org to receive a free copy of the Florida Business Disaster Survival Kit.”  The interactive CD-ROM contains safety tips, record storage information, emergency contacts, and federal disaster assistance links.

For more information, please contact Stacey Swank at Pinellas County Economic Development, (727) 464-7425, sswank@co.pinellas.fl.us, or visit www.siliconbay.org.

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