On Tuesday, Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for areas affected by red tide.
On Wednesday, Scott directed the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to activate the state’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. That provides short-term, interest-free loans of up to $50,000 to small businesses experiencing physical or economic loss.
To qualify, the small business must have between two to 100 employees and be able to demonstrate economic or physical damage as a result of red tide. The loans are granted in terms of up to 180 days.