Loans, disaster assistance, and other help and resources available
Hillsborough County and its state and federal partners are providing numerous resources and aid to help businesses recover from hurricanes and storms that impacted the area this fall. Here is a breakdown:
Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Center (BRC)
The SBA BRC provides one-on-one assistance with submitting disaster loan applications.
SBA Customer Service representatives are available to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications. The BRC plays a critical role during disasters, assisting businesses in recovering from physical, inventory, and economic losses by offering low-interest loans with repayment plans of up to 30 years.
The SBA BRC is located at the County’s Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC), 2101 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33605. The BRC is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last client must be signed in no later than 4 p.m.), Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last client must be signed in no later than 1 p.m.) The BRC is closed on Sunday.
Free parking is available across Palm Avenue.
For more information about the BRC, please contact the ECC at (813) 204-9267
SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to businesses, nonprofits, and residents impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Detailed information and applications are available on the SBA Disaster Assistance Page.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage are:
- Hurricane Helene: Nov. 27, 2024
- Hurricane Milton: Dec.10, 2024
The filing deadline to return economic injury applications are:
- Hurricane Helene: June 30, 2025
- Hurricane Milton: July 11, 2025
FloridaCommerce Resources
FloridaCommerce is offering the following resources for businesses:
- Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
- Damage Assessment Survey
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Businesses across Hillsborough County can now apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program, administered by the Florida Department of Commerce, provides short-term (two years), zero-interest working capital loans that 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. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000. Loans of up to $100,000 are available for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses.
Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application.
- Hurricane Helene Deadline: Nov. 24, 2024
- Hurricane Milton Deadline: Dec. 4, 2024
Business owners who need further program information may call (833) 832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
The State of Florida has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Take a moment to complete the survey to ensure the appropriate services are available during recovery.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and are not eligible for regular state or federal reemployment assistance benefits.
Eligible Floridians whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricanes Helene or Milton are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs.org. To file a claim, select “File a Claim,” visit a local CareerSource Career Center, or call (800) 385-3920. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For DUA claims information, call (833) FL-APPLY (833-352-7759) to speak with a representative.
Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County Resources
Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County disaster recovery specialists are available to provide confidential, no-cost consulting to help affected businesses prepare disaster loan applications and with other post-disaster challenges. Florida SBDC disaster specialists work alongside SBA business loan specialists to provide information about resources available and assist businesses in completing state and federal disaster loan applications.
The Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County can be reached at HCFL.Gov/FSBDC or (813) 204-9267, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional Recovery Resources
These resources are also available for Hillsborough County businesses:
Entrepreneur Collaborative Center
Another immensely valuable resource: The Hillsborough County Economic Development Department established the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC) in 2014 to provide entrepreneurs easy access to business service providers, resources, mentorship, and specialty training. Services are provided for each businesses’ unique stage of development and business category: pre-venture, start-up, micro-enterprise, small-to-mid-size enterprise, community-based, targeted industry, technology and innovation, and more.
During storm recovery, visit the ECC to collaborate and network with peers.