Disaster Resources for Businesses

Employers Urged to Share New FEMA Pre-Registration Helpline for Assistance

Pinellas County continues to work with the State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obtain additional assistance.

If you have employees impacted by Hurricane Idalia, please share the FEMA Helpline for pre-registration for assistance at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Residents who use TTY may call 1-800-462-7585. This information is used to help make a determination of our needs here in Pinellas County.

Please note, that homes impacted with even a few inches of water may be considered for major damage.

For assistance with lodging, food, crisis cleanup, and other services offered by area nonprofits, please visit https://pinellas.gov/emergency-information.

Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program Now Available

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is now available at www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL. The program makes $20 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Idalia.

Who is eligible to apply?

Businesses in Pinellas County are eligible to apply by the October 25, 2023 deadline, or until all available funds are expended.

What kind of loans are offered?

The program, administered by FloridaCommerce, provides short-term, zero-interest loans, in an amount of up to $50,000, to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Idalia. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer-term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources. They are not grants; loans must be repaid by the approved applicant. FloridaCommerce administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation.

Who can I call for assistance?

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, and view the lending guidelines and required documentation. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance

The SBA is now offering the following disaster loan assistance to businesses in Pinellas County impacted by Hurricane Idalia:

Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Apply for assistance online- https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/

Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey

Businesses are urged to respond to the Florida Business Damage Assessment Survey at https://floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments. Select “Hurricane Idalia” from the drop-down box and submit the survey online. The exact dollar value of your costs are not necessary; an estimate is fine. 

This information will provide valuable economic impact information to the state and federal government as economic assistance options are evaluated. If you are in need of assistance with this survey or have other disaster recovery needs, please call (727) 453-7200 or email businesshelp@pinellas.gov.

To report residential damage or infrastructure damage, and to obtain the most recent Hurricane Idalia updates, please visit disaster.pinellas.gov.