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Seminole Chamber: For Businesses Recovering from Irma

Hurricane | Weather | Tropical Storm

The Seminole Chamber of Commerce passes on a list of resources from the Florida Chamber of Commerce to help businesses who need help after Hurricane Irma.

SEMINOLE – With Hurricane Irma in the rear view mirror and Florida now in recovery mode, the Seminole Chamber of Commerce says it is important that business and community leaders have the most up to date information regarding recovery efforts throughout Florida.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU:

To aid Florida’s business community, the following resources are available at FloridaChamber.com/hurricane:

  • Florida Disaster Fund: Donate today to Volunteer Florida’s Florida Disaster Fund, and help ensure your donations go directly to Hurricane Irma needs in communities throughout Florida.
  • Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center: A clearinghouse of business assistance information following Hurricane Irma.
  • Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program: This program provides a source of expedient cash flow to Florida small businesses that have been physically and/or economically impacted by Hurricane Irma.
  • U.S. Small Business Disaster Loans: Businesses in the impacted counties can apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
  • Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
  • Consumer Alert – Beware of Insurance Scams: The Florida Chamber and its Consumer Protection Coalition urge you to be on the lookout for unscrupulous home repair vendors and trial attorneys that try to profit off the disaster by asking you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). Remember consumer do not need to sign an AOB to get storm related home repairs or auto glass repairs made.

STATEWIDE UPDATE:

The latest post-Irma recovery information, straight from the state Emergency Operations Center:

  • PORTS: All ports are now open aside from Key West, which is still being surveyed for damage.
  • FUEL: The fuel situation in the state continues to improve, though slowly. Port Everglades, Port Canaveral and Port of Tampa are all open and are actively prioritizing fuel tanker ships.
  • HOT MEALS FOR LOW INCOME: For those chambers with a significant grocery member base – the Florida Department of Children and Families announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has waived the restriction on hot foods for SNAP recipients throughout Florida. In order for the retailer to accept, DCF says the retailer needs to update their point of sale system. This waiver will end Sept. 30.
  • EMERGENCY RELIEF QUICK RELEASE GRANT: The Federal Highway Administration has approved a $25 million Emergency Relief Quick Release Grant to support response and recovery efforts for Florida’s roadways and transportation system. This federal funding will be used to conduct emergency repairs on impacted roads, embankments, bridges or other infrastructure and help restore traffic on major roadways to ensure Florida residents and visitors can travel safely.
  • PROPERTY INSURANCE: Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier, per the direction of Gov. Rick Scott, issued an Emergency Order suspending and activating various insurance regulations and statues to assist policyholders in post-storm recovery. Read the full order here.

For information about the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, go to seminolechamber.net.

Seminole Chamber | Hurricane Irma | Business | Tampabay News | TB Reporter

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