Disaster Preparedness & Relief

The City of Hollywood is designated as a Business Recovery Center in Broward County to provide businesses with information to expedite disaster recovery. Information about additional disaster recovery resources will be posted to the City's website and social media channels as it becomes available.

U.S. Small Business Administration - Disaster Loans

The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides assistance to private and non-profit organizations that have suffered physical damage as a result of a disaster. Any business in a declared disaster area may be eligible to apply for a physical disaster loan of up to $2 million. The loan can be used for repair or replacement of real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory, and leasehold improvements. The interest rate is determined by the applicant's ability to obtain credit elsewhere. If the applicant cannot obtain credit elsewhere, a maximum interest rate of 4%t per year is imposed. Long-term loans extend up to 30 years.

Apply

Visit the SBA website to apply for a disaster loan or call 305-536-5521.

Economic Injury Loan

An Economic Injury Loan (EIL) is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and certain private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered substantial economic injury resulting from a physical disaster or an agricultural production disaster. The EIL can provide up to $2 million in disaster assistance with a maximum interest rate of 4% per year. Loans may not exceed 30 years and terms will be determined by the ability to repay the loan.

Apply

Visit the SBA website for more information on the EIL Loan Program.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides counseling and assistance to help businesses recover from a temporary closure or incurred damage due to a natural disaster. The SBDC is located at:

Higher Education Complex

Room 1010

111 E Las Olas Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. 

You may visit SBDC online or call 954-762-5201 or 954-762-5235.

Enterprise Florida Inc.

Enterprise Florida offers no interest, short-term (bridge) loans funded by the State of Florida to help businesses quickly recover from structural damage and replace lost or damaged inventory. The short-term bridge loans will assist businesses in bridging the gap between the time the damage occurred and when the company can access insurance funds and SBA loans. The short-term bridge loan lasts from 90 - 180 days with a maximum loan amount of $25,000 to be borrowed. The short-term bridge loan is offered on a first come, first serve. The loan application will be considered within 48-72 hours. To qualify for the short-term bridge loan, businesses must be in existence for a year.

CareerSource Broward provides disaster unemployment assistance and temporary employment (e.g. storm clean-up) for individuals not working due to a natural disaster. For more information on employment programs and services, please visit Employ Florida online or call the Career Center at 954-677-5555.

Apply

To apply to the Florida unemployment assistance program, for individuals who are still unemployed as a result of a natural disaster, call 800-204-2418 or visit the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity website. There is also a short time compensation program if individuals have had working hours reduced as a result of a natural disaster.

Florida Department of Financial Services

The Florida Department of Financial Services (FLDFS) provides information regarding filing insurance claims for damages incurred due to a natural disaster. A representative from financial services will provide information regarding Florida law affecting insurance claims and other insurance issues related to Florida businesses directly impacted by a natural disaster. Homeowners can contact the Florida Department of Financial Services at 1-800-22-STORM or by visiting the FLDFS website.

For business issues, businesses should FAX business name, mailing address, all insurance information, date of loss, and names of all interested parties to 850-488-6372. Any repair work to limit damages should commence immediately. Businesses are encouraged to keep all photos, records, invoices of all repairs completed after a natural disaster. Depending on the scale of the damage, disaster adjusters may need extra time to get in contact with claimants.

Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA

FEMA only offers personal disaster recovery assistance. There are no services or assistance offered to businesses. FEMA can be reached at 1-800-621-FEMA. FEMA encourage claimants to have ready their social security number (including spouse, if applicable), private insurance information (if available), address of damaged property, directions to damaged property, and daytime telephone number before making contact. For the speech or hearing impaired call 1-800-462-7585. For more information please visit the FEMA website.