Press Release

Release Date: August 18, 2005
Contact: Dr. Diane Barlar, Director of Marketing & Development, dbarlar@uwf.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Rosa Businesses Disaster Deadlines Draw Near

Disaster recovery resources for all Santa Rosa County businesses and residents are now housed at the Disaster Recovery Center on Hwy 98 across from The Zoo. This location offers all businesses and residents one-stop shopping for SBA disaster opportunities, Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program, FEMA applications, other small business resources and support for many other disaster-related needs. As deadlines draw near, it is important for all to know the location, the deadline dates and the services provided.

The deadline for Florida Emergency Bridge Loan applications is September 2 and for FEMA applications it is September 8. The deadline for SBA physical injuries is September 8 but the public has until April 10 of 2006 to file for Economic Injury assistance. The date for closing the DRC has not been announced, but all should know that the resources for assistance are located at the DRC (i.e. the Small Business Development Center at the University of West Florida (SBDC at UWF), Project Hope, Disabled Veterans, Crisis Intervention and many others).

Dan Cavanaugh, Santa Rosa and Escambia County Manager of the SBDC at UWF is manning the DRC for small business assistance through the SBDC. On August 23 at 9:00 am Mr. Cavanaugh will discuss this new role for the SBDC at UWF and the many services available to small businesses with the SR County Commissioners. The SBDC is assisting all in need with help filling out the paperwork necessary to apply for the loan programs and they are particularly helpful with the Bridge Loan applications for small businesses. Their ability to assist was heightened when SBDC staffers from all over the state attended the FEMA Boot Camp this summer. The one-week boot camp afforded the staffers an opportunity to learn and translate that knowledge into programs for Florida businesses. Of particular note is the business assessment for financial recovery through a financial recovery plan and business continuity and mitigation through advance measures. Small businesses are well served by both programs. The counseling and one-on-one assistance for the programs and other support are confidential and free of charge. Cavanaugh urges all small business managers and owners to avail themselves of these new services. The SBDC at UWF is ready to serve Santa Rosa businesses recover from Hurricane Dennis.