Business Disaster Resources
X

Local Resources to Help Your Business Weather the Next Storm with Background Image of Storm Clouds

PLAN

Planning helps you resume operations more quickly, and it gives you a competitive advantage by providing your customers assurance that you’re prepared to serve them even after a disaster. 

  1. Do-It-Yourself Planning Guides: Visit Floridadisaster.biz for an interactive guide that will generate a custom plan tailored to your business Ready.Gov/Business 
     
  2. FREE Expert Help: SBDC specialists can help you develop custom disaster plans. Find out more at 863-784-7378.
     
  3. Prep Your Disaster Kit: Assemble your essential documents to ensure you have the items needed to quickly submit insurance claims and apply for potential support programs. View a suggested disaster kit checklist here (PDF). 

 

CONNECT

Stay connected with up-to-date information via these two sources:

1. Subscribe to our Business Alerts for realtime information on the activation of support programs, urgent updates and more. (Business only updates)

2. Subscribe to ALERT HIGHLANDS for critical alerts on severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. (All county updates)

3. Register your business with the state's emergency business database at Floridadisaster.biz.


 

RECOVER

REPORT DAMAGE


BUSINESS DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY: ACTIVE


Complete the Governor-activated online damage assessment, which takes just a few minutes. Your information will be shared with emergency response agencies to expedite implementation of appropriate disaster relief programs.

The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey - Florida Disaster.

 


GET HELP
Depending on the severity of a disaster, a number of resources may be activated to help businesses. These resources include:

 

SBA HURRICANE MILTON  - ACTIVE

LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE 

NEED HELP? For inquiries, please contact the Small Business Administration toll-free at 800-659-2955 or by email at DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

SUBSCRIBE TO THE SBA'S E-NEWSLETTER to receive up-to-date information on the dates, times and call in information for various webinar sessions on their programs. 

 



SBA DEBT RELIEF -  ACTIVE 

This program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. Under it, SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the President signing the bill into law.

Check with your lender to make sure this is being honored on your existing debt.

NEED HELP? For inquiries, please contact the Small Business Administration toll-free at 800-659-2955 or by email at DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov

 

 


 

SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION PROGRAM -   ACTIVE 

The Short-Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program available to provide prorated Reemployment Assistance benefits to employees. These individuals may have had work hours and earnings reduced due to the implementation of a Short-Time Compensation plan to avoid a total layoff of some employees amid COVID-19.

BEFORE YOU APPLY: Review the eligibility requirements.

APPLY HERE

NEED HELP? For inquiries, plese contact the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity toll-free at 800-204-2418. 

 


 

SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM  ACTIVE 

The Small Business Loan Program is available to qualified businesses that demonstrate adequate historical and/or proposed cash flow coverage and other credit underwriting metrics. The loan proceeds must be used for a business purpose. A business purpose includes, but is not limited to: startup costs, working capital, business procurement, franchise fees, inventory, as well as the purchase, construction renovation or tenant improvements of an eligible place of business that is not for passive real estate investment purposes. Loan Participation is up to 50 percent of the total loan amount. With the 504 Bridge Loan Participation, lenders are permitted to finance equipment and owner-occupied real estate purchases up to 90 percent of the total project cost. Loan amounts range from $250,000 to $5 million.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 504 BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM

NEED HELP? For inquiries, plese contact Enterprise Florida at 407-956-5600 or visit First Capital Finance Corporation online.
 


 

MICROFINANCE GUARANTEE PROGRAM ACTIVE 

The Microfinance Guarantee Program - FloridaJobs.org is available to stimulate access to credit for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Florida by providing targeted guarantees to loans made to such entrepreneurs and small businesses. Funds appropriated to the program must be reinvested and maintained as a long-term and stable source of funding for the program.

Effective immediately and during these unprecedented circumstances related to COVID-19, Enterprise Florida is suspending initial fees (normally 2%) to assist small businesses with access to credit.

NEED HELP? For inquiries, plese contact Enterprise Florida at 407-956-5600
 



BLACK BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM ACTIVE 

The Black Business Loan Program - FloridaJobs.org offers alternative lending solutions to Florida-based black owned small businesses by providing short-term loans and technical assistance.

Visit FAMU Federal Credit Union or the Miami Bayside Foundation for loan program information. 

FAMU FCU - Black Business Loan Program

Loan Programs - Miami Bayside Foundation
 



REBUILD FLORIDA BUSINESS LOAN FUND -   ACTIVE 

The Florida Business Loan Fund provides financing to assist businesses with resiliency efforts. The funds will address the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses that can be used for inventory purchases, construction, working capital, equipment financing and more.

APPLY HERE

NEED HELP? For inquiries, plese contact THE Florida Department of Economic Opportunity toll-free at 833-832-4494 or by email at FloridaBusinessLoanFund@deo.myflorida.com​.
 



FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN -  ACTIVE 

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan was activated by the Governor to provide short-term, interest-free loans to businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Administered by the Florida Department of Commerce in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation (FFCFC).

You can apply for this program at FloridaDisaster.biz (floridajobs.org). Inquiries should be directed to the Florida Department of Commerce at 1-833-832-4494.

 

 


OUR MISSION

Enhancing the quality of life in Highlands County by attracting a variety of new businesses and increasing industrial investment, all while facilitating the retention and successful expansion of existing businesses and industry.

Keep In Touch

Economic Development
Highlands County Board of County Commissioners
(E)
economicdevelopment@highlandsfl.gov
(P) 863.402.6924
(F) 863.402.6651