Florida small businesses that have lost income due to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and are awaiting action on long-term economic recovery claims may now apply for short-term, interest-free working capital loans through the State of Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

Under the program, small businesses from 2 to 100 employees are eligible for up to $25,000 in expedited, interest-free help with repayment terms up to 12 months. Loan funds are available in most cases between 48 and 72 hours of submitting a completed application.

The emergency “bridge” loans are designed to help small businesses meet their immediate financial obligations until long-term claims are processed, such as Gulf Coast Claims Facility payments, federal disaster assistance or insurance claim proceeds. For many small businesses, this has meant the difference between remaining open for business and shutting its doors.

Gov. Charlie Crist has allocated $5 million from General Revenue to fund the bridge loan program, which is set to expire Sept. 30, 2010. The appropriation is made through a budget amendment pursuant to the Governor’s emergency declaration.

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, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade.

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Emergency Bridge Loan Instructions:

  1. Review eligibility
  2. Gather required documentation noted here
  3. Download application forms here
  4. Complete application forms (contact SBDC Network for assistance)
  5. Contact the SBDC Network to submit application (numbers listed below)

Bridge Loan Applicants who need assistance in Spanish may contact SBDC representative Alejandro Rodriguez by calling 813.905.5826.

Los solicitantes de Préstamos que necesiten ayuda en español pueden comunicarse con Alejandro Rodríguez llamando al 813.384.8233.

Resources
Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network
Provides disaster assistance for businesses through the Florida SBDC Network's Business Continuity and Risk Management Program (BCRM) including loan applications, processes and other assistance as it becomes available.
Statewide Toll Free: 866.737.7232
Local Office Contact Number: 850.473.7800
Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties: 850.595.0063
Okaloosa & Walton Counties: 850.833.9400
Bay & Gulf Counties: 850.271.1108 ext 20
Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, and Jefferson Counties: 850.599.3407
Collier, Lee, & Charlotte Counties: 239.745.3700 (Bilingual/English-Spanish)
Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota: 813.384.8232 for English--813.384.8233 for Spanish
*Additional local county contact numbers will be posted as they become available.
  
Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) Claims
Toll-Free Helpline: 800.916.4893
File Claim on the Web
Claims Offices in Florida
  • Filing a claim will result in a GCCF claim number required for Bridge Loan application.
  • The claim helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Personnel at the Claims Line will provide each caller with information on how to submit a claim.
  • Each claim will be assigned to an adjuster and the claim will promptly be investigated and evaluated.
  • Larger and more complex claims may require additional investigation and documentation prior to evaluation and resolution.
  • GCCF will pay resolved claims promptly.
  
Small Business Administration (SBA)  
Other Important Resources
  • IRS
    Individuals who have questions about the tax treatment of GCCF claims payments or who are experiencing filing or payment hardships because of the oil spill, should call
    866-562-5227. This special toll-free line is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Insurance Coverage for Lost Revenues:
    State of Florida Department of Financial Services: 877.693.5236
    Help for business owners to figure out if they’re covered by insurance for lost revenues.
  • Florida State Emergency Response Team
    The Florida SBDC Network is a member of the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT) under ESF – 18 Business, Industry and Economic Stabilization.
  • Business Continuity and Risk Management Program
    Florida SBDC Network's BCRM Program:
    SBDC Certified Business Analysts (CBAs) assist with business disaster loan applications, including Emergency Bridge Loans, and other forms associated with preparing for and recovering from a natural or man-made disaster. BCRM services are available through all statewide Florida SBDC Network offices.
  • Mobile Business Assistance Centers (MACs)
    MAC

    Click here to view the MAC schedule
    Two Florida SBDC Network MACs stand ready to be deployed in the field for on-the-spot business disaster assistance. SBDC CBAs assist business owners with forms and applications needed to prepare for and recover from disasters.

    For questions regarding local administration of the Bridge Loan Program, or to volunteer to assist, contact Paymon Shokoohi, Assistant State Director of Special Programs, at 850.473.7800 or 1.866.737.7232.
  • Deepwater Horizon Response Unified Command
  • Florida Division of Emergency Management
  • Florida Department of Financial Services
  • Florida Department Environmental Protection