Business owners affected by Hurricane Isaias in northwest Florida will be able to receive free, in-person, and confidential advice from November 2 to 5, through mobile units that will visit four locations in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties to assist entrepreneurs in recovering from the losses caused by the storm.
According to the schedule published by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the units belong to the Florida Small Business Development Center Network and will provide guidance on damage assessments, emergency loan applications, and challenges in restoring business operations.
The first sessions will take place on Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3, in Santa Rosa County, with simultaneous attention in two locations.
In Milton, specialists will be at the Economic Development Office of Santa Rosa County, located at 6491 Caroline Street, office 4. The second location will be the Town Hall of Jay, at 3695 FL-4.
On Wednesday, November 4, and Thursday, November 5, assistance will be moved to two other locations. In Navarre, also in Santa Rosa, it will take place at the County Visitor Information Center, located at 8543 Navarre Parkway.
During the same dates, business owners in Fort Walton Beach, in Okaloosa County, will be able to visit the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, located at 34 Miracle Strip Parkway SE.
The four locations will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during their respective operating days, according to the local time in northwest Florida, which corresponds to the Central Time Zone of the United States.
The assistance will be provided by specialists who will work in the so-called Mobile Access Centers (Mobile Assistance Centers), temporary spaces set up to make it easier for business owners to consult directly with professionals about their recovery options.
Among the available services is guidance for completing the business damage assessment from FloridaCommerce, a form that allows for the collection of information regarding the losses and economic hardships experienced by establishments following the hurricane.
The advisors will also be able to assist in preparing emergency funding applications, organizing the necessary documentation for the procedures, and examining issues that hinder the reopening or continuity of business activities.
One of the resources you can receive guidance on is the zero-interest bridge loan program that Florida launched in October for small businesses affected by Isaias, providing funding of up to $100,000 for qualifying companies.
This mechanism offers temporary financing that must be repaid. It is not a grant or a cash handout. The announced deadline to apply for these loans is November 25, or earlier if funds are exhausted.
Specialists also provide guidance on preparing disaster loan applications with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in accordance with the conditions applicable to each program.
Assistance at mobile units does not guarantee loan approval or fund disbursement. Their role is to provide information and guidance so that entrepreneurs can identify available resources and complete the necessary procedures.
These sessions are intended for businesses affected by the hurricane and are different from the multi-agency centers previously established in Okaloosa, which provided a wider range of services for families, residents, and businesses.
Those who cannot attend the temporary locations can request information through the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida, which offers regular business consulting services at no cost in the northwest region of the state.
Before traveling, interested parties can check the official section for assistance to businesses affected by Isaias to verify the current locations, dates, and times.
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