Florida Commerce Helps Small Businesses Through Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, 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.

 

Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are not grants and must be repaid. Owners may utilize funding from longer term financial resources, such as U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans, to repay the Emergency Bridge Loan.

 

Loans are available up to $50,000 per business per eligible applicant. Loans of up to $150,000 are available for agriculture and aquaculture small businesses. Loans made through this program are two year, zero-interest, personal business loans.

 

Eligible small businesses with less than 100 employees in 61 of Florida’s 76 counties – including St. Johns, Flagler and Volusia and Duval – may apply for loans.


FloridaCommerce administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corp. Visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL  to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application by the Nov. 25, 2024 deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.