Business Response & Recovery Programs

Business Response & Recovery Programs 

The impact of Hurricane Ian will be felt for years to come many Floridians. We will be working with our partners in Southwest Florida to determine the best ways in which we can all help. For now, here are some resources that are currently active:

Business Response & Recovery Programs: State

Florida Short Time Compensation for Employers Program

Description: Short-Time Compensation (STC) is a temporary alternative work style that will assist employers in keeping their workforce intact. The program permits prorated unemployment compensation benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of an STC plan to avoid the total layoff of some employees. Phone: (850) 921-3253 – Website: www.floridajobs.org

Florida Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Description: Unemployment benefits for individuals unemployed as a result of the disaster that are not covered by regular state or private unemployment insurance. Applicants have 30 days to file after the disaster is announced. Phone: (800) 204-2418 – Website: www.fluidnow.com

Florida Small Business Resource Network

Description: The Small Business Continuity Services Resource Network (SBCSRN) is a database of Florida professionals identified to fill niche areas for recovery technical assistance in support of small businesses and the Florida economy. Phone: (904) 620-2489 – Website: www.sbrn.org

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Description: License, insurance, and consumer complaint information on building contractors Phone: (800) 435-7352 – Website: www.freshfromflorida.com

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Description: An order can be given to reduce regulatory processes and provide flexibility for restoring services quickly during a disaster. Phone: (850) 245-2118 – Website: www.floridadep.org

Florida Department of Insurance

Description: Small Business Insurance information assistance Phone: (850) 922-3132 – Website: www.myfloridacfo.com

Florida Emergency Network Secure Site

Description: Log in for State agencies, EOC offices, City, and County to order supplies during a declared emergency. Website: www.dms.myflorida.com

The Florida Emergency Supplier Network (Vendors)

Description: Identify and group needed commodities and services by type and/or distribution channel, based on experience. Coordinate suppliers of emergency commodities and services for membership in the FESN. Also collect and organize the information and make it accessible to government buyers during emergency operations. Website: www.dms.myflorida.com

The Florida Emergency Purchasing Network (Volunteers)

Description: Coordinates purchasing volunteer efforts during declared emergencies, organizes the delivery of specialized training through the Division of Emergency Management. Also collects and organize the FEPN information and make it accessible to emergency logistics officials requiring procurement assistance during emergency operations. Website: www.dms.myflorida.com/business_operations

Florida Department of Revenue

Description: The Florida Department of Revenue will waive penalties and interest during the period of emergency for impacted taxpayers who are unable to file returns and/or make payment of taxes on time. Phone: (800) 352-3671 – Website: ritx-fl-sales.bswa.net

Visit Florida

Description: Visit Florida adopted complimentary Cover Your Event (CYE) Insurance. This supplemental insurance cover any costs directly related to re-booking a meeting should it be displaced due to a named hurricane/disaster. CYE ensures that you can plan your meeting with confidence and take full advantage of Florida’s unsurpassed venues any time of year, while benefiting from those outstanding summer and fall values. Phone: (850) 205-3800 – Website: www.visitflorida.org

Business Response & Recovery Programs: Federal

FEMA

Description: Disaster victims can obtain additional information and apply for disaster assistance through FEMA in various ways. A toll-free number has been established by FEMA for disaster victims to apply for certain types of disaster programs and obtain information about others. You can obtain information by calling. Phone: (800) 621-FEMA (3362) – Website: www.fema.gov

FEMA has created a new webpage that will provide frequent updates on impacts from Hurricane Ian- https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian. This page has both overall and state-specific information and resources related rumors and scams.

SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration)

Description: Small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives suffering a substantial economic injury may be eligible for an economic injury disaster loan of up to $1.5 million to meet necessary financial obligations – Bills the company would have paid if the disaster had not occurred. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website: www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Physical Disaster Loans

SBA (U.S. Small Business Administration) Description: Businesses of all sizes may apply for a Physical Disaster Loan of up to 1.5 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory and fixtures. These loans will cover uninsured or under-insured losses. Phone: (800) 659-2955 – Website: www.sba.gov

IRS Excise Tax

Description: IRS will waive tax penalties on disasters on a case-by-case basis. Phone: (800) 829-1040 – Website: www.irs.gov/businesses