Business owners from Bradenton down to Collier County are seeing smaller crowds because of red tide, which is why Governor Rick Scott included assistance for businesses in his emergency order.

Small businesses with less than 100 employees affected by the red tide can apply for short-term, interest free bridge loans of up to $50,000.

For larger businsesses, there is Visit Florida’s $500,000 Emergency Grant Program, which will offer marketing and advertising reimbursements to groups like Visit Sarasota once the red tide subsides.
Businesses have until October to apply for the small business loan, and grant expenditures must be completed by June 2019.