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Resources Available for Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian Update No. 30Hillsborough County, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2022) – Businesses across Hillsborough County that were impacted by Hurricane Ian have multiple options for recovery resources.
Businesses are urged to start by taking a Business Damage Assessment Survey so that the most useful services can be provided to help with recovery. There also are services like free disaster loan application consulting from a variety of resources.
Business Damage Assessment Survey
The State of Florida opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey for Hurricane Ian on Wednesday, Sept. 28. Please take a moment to complete the survey. Completion of the survey by as many business owners as possible helps to ensure the proper services will be available for recovery efforts.
Florida SBDC at Hillsborough County
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 HCFLGov.net/FSBDC or (813) 204-9267, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Business Recovery Center
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) to provide one-on-one assistance with submitting a disaster loan application for Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications.
The Hillsborough County BRC is located at the Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, 1907 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610. The BRC is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.
SBA low-interest disaster loans for businesses, homeowners, renters, and private nonprofits
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Ian.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations (such as charities, churches, private universities, etc.) of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Detailed information and applications are available on the SBA disaster assistance page.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.
Other Resources:
IRS Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief for Individuals and Businesses
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Disaster Recovery Quick Guides
Enterprise Florida Business Disaster Assistance Resources
Florida Disaster FundGet Connected. Stay Alert.
For more information on Hillsborough County’s response to Hurricane Ian, visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe and sign up for the HCFL Alert system. Additionally, you can follow Hillsborough County on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor for updates.
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SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Hillsborough County
“Our Business Recovery Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners in the midst of a disaster,” said Francisco Sanchez, Jr., Associate Administrator, Office of Disaster Assistance. “Business owners can meet in-person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.”
SBA’s disaster declaration includes Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sarasota, Seminole and Volusia counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Glades, Hendry, Indian River, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Pasco, and Sumter in Florida.
SBA Business Recovery Center
Hillsborough County
Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center
1907 E. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33610
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. -
Sign Up for Weather & Emergency AlertsHillsborough County and the State of Florida all have alert systems that will enable you to receive text alerts straight to your cell phone! Click the icons below to sign up!
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The Disaster Help Desk Is Here for YouThe Disaster Help Desk provides one-on-one expert assistance to small business owners before, during, and after a disaster strikes. From preparing for hurricane and wildfire season to unexpected floods or power outages, our team is here to answer any questions you might have, including topics such as:
- Readiness for minor and major disasters, ranging from fires and floods to massive natural disasters.
- Relief information for those immediate days and months after a disaster strikes your business, including federal resources.
- Long-term recovery advice and connections to others who can help you create a path to re-opening and staying open after a disaster.
- Preparedness & Recovery Guides: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/quick-guides
- Resilience in a Box: https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/resilience-box
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Evacuation Zones vs. Flood Zones
Though they are often mistaken for each other, Flood Zones and Evacuation Zones are two very different things that measure very different conditions. So what's the difference? And when do you use them?Evacuation Zones: These are the areas that officials may order evacuated during a hurricane. These zones are mapped by the National Hurricane Center and indicate areas that will be affected by storm surge - storm-driven waves that can inundate a community, and threaten lives. Zones in Hillsborough County are identified from A - E, and there are parts of the county that are not in an evacuation zone. | Find Evacuation Information.Flood Zones: These federally identified zones indicate a property's risk for flooding at any time of the year, including as a result of heavy or steady rain. This zone has nothing to do with hurricanes or other emergencies, and everything to do with your property insurance and building requirements. Nationally, these zones are classified as Zones A (Special Flood Hazard Area), B, C, D, V and X. Every property is in a flood zone. | Find My Flood Zone. -
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Disaster Relief Resources from the U.S. ChamberThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has resources to help local chambers and small businesses prepare for and recover from any potential disasters or business interruptions. If you need additional support or have questions, please reach out to the Disaster Help Desk directly at 1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP (888-692-4943).Disaster Help Desk for Business: Made possible with support from the PwC Charitable Foundation, was developed in 2007 and offers one-on-one expert assistance to small business owners before, during, and after a disaster strikes. | Learn more hereResilience in a Box: Created in partnership with The UPS Foundation, features a toolbox of resources to educate newcomers on disaster preparedness and business resilience. | Learn more hereDisaster Recovery Quick Guides: Made possible by Shell, has tailored tips for small businesses and chambers looking to prepare and recover. | Learn more hereAdditional Resources: -
NOAA Predicts Above-Normal 2022 Atlantic Hurricane SeasonForecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year — which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
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Florida SBDC Network urges preparation for hurricane seasonPreparedness resources
- For preparedness resources from the Florida SBDC Network, please visit https://floridasbdc.org/services/business-continuation/preparedness/.
- The state’s disaster preparedness sales tax holiday extends through Friday, June 10. To learn more about the holiday and qualifying items, please click here.
- www.FloridaDisaster.org – The state’s official source of information for individuals and businesses from the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- For a hurricane preparedness checklist and other resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), please click here.
- For more information about the Florida SBDC Network and to find an SBDC near you, please visit www.FloridaSBDC.org.
