Today, Governor Ron DeSantis provided updates on Florida's preparedness for Hurricane Milton alongside Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue at the State Emergency Operations Center. As of 5 p.m. ET, Hurricane Milton is located approximately 805 miles west-southwest of Tampa, Florida, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm is expected to move north of the Yucatan Peninsula and across the southern Gulf of Mexico early in the week before approaching Florida's...
FloridaCommerce has announced the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. This assistance is aimed at those whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the hurricane and who do not qualify for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible residents are encouraged to submit claims through FloridaJobs.org.
FloridaCommerce has announced that $60 million is now available to aid local governments affected by Hurricane Helene through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program. This funding initiative follows recent legislative changes, including the passage of SB 1420 during the 2024 Legislative Session and its subsequent signing into law by Governor DeSantis. The legislation extends the loan repayment period to ten years, offering increased flexibility for communities recovering from disasters.
FloridaCommerce has joined forces with the Florida Small Business Development Center Network and CareerSource Florida to establish One-Stop Business Resource Sites in 17 counties affected by Hurricane Helene. These sites will offer in-person assistance for businesses and employees seeking recovery resources from Tuesday, October 1, through Wednesday, October 9.
FloridaCommerce has announced the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for businesses and residents affected by Hurricane Helene. This assistance is intended for those whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to the hurricane and who do not qualify for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits. Eligible individuals are encouraged to submit their claims at FloridaJobs.org.
FloridaCommerce has allocated over $2.2 million through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to assist small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. As of now, 55 businesses have been approved for these funds, with more applications being processed daily.
Today, FloridaCommerce announced it is providing at least $250,000 in funding to 11 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) affected by Hurricane Helene. This funding will enable the agencies to offer immediate support to their communities. The impacted CAAs include the Capital Area CAA, Central Florida CAA, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners, Lee Board of County Commissioners, Pinellas County Urban League, Salvation Army, Suwanee River Economic Council, Step Up Suncoast, and...
FloridaCommerce has announced that Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is now available to residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene. This assistance is aimed at those whose employment or self-employment was disrupted due to the hurricane and who do not qualify for regular state or federal Reemployment Assistance benefits.
FloridaCommerce has announced the extension of application deadlines for several grant programs due to Hurricane Helene. The new deadline for the Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant (DIG) and Florida Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) programs is October 18, 2024. The deadline for the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) has been extended to October 31, 2024.
FloridaCommerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $15 million available for businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Florida small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the program. Businesses in various counties, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin,Gadsden,Gilchrist Glades,Gulf,Hamilton Hardee,Hendry Hernando Highlands...
FloridaCommerce and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) have launched the Business Damage Assessment Survey to address the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This survey allows business owners to report both physical and economic damages caused by the hurricane.
Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Major General John D. Haas and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Purdue, provided updates on Hurricane Helene's approach at the State Emergency Operations Center. As of 8:00 am ET, Hurricane Helene has intensified to a Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 mph. It is expected to strengthen further before making landfall on the Florida Big Bend coast tonight.
Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 24-209, amending the previous Executive Order 24-208, to increase the number of Florida counties under a state of emergency to 61 due to Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
At 9:30 AM today, Governor Ron DeSantis, alongside Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), held a press conference at the State Emergency Operations Center to provide updates on Tropical Storm Helene. Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, updating EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties. This declaration allows state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.
FloridaCommerce announced today that the Fort Lauderdale metro area led all metro areas in job gains over the year in several industry sectors for August 2024. The sectors with notable increases include government (+4,500 jobs), other services (+4,400 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+4,300 jobs). The private sector employment in the Fort Lauderdale area reached 823,000 in August 2024, marking an increase of 20,200 jobs or a growth rate of 2.5% over the previous year.
FloridaCommerce has announced that the state's private sector job growth continues to surpass the national average, with a 2.1% increase over the year since August 2023, compared to the national rate of 1.4%. This achievement is attributed to strategic investments in workforce education and development.
FloridaCommerce has approved over $3.2 million in funding through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by Hurricane Debby. As of now, 82 businesses have been approved for these funds, with more applications being processed daily.