Tag Archives: fort lauderdale

Governor Ron DeSantis Activates the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, Making $5 Million Available for Businesses Impacted by Flooding in Southeast Florida

2 Replies

From the press office of Governor Ron DeSantis:

Businesses in Broward County, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $5 million available for businesses impacted by flooding in Southeast Florida. Businesses in Broward County, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply. Florida’s small business owners in need of assistance are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to the flooding in Southeast Florida. Interested applicants can apply now through June 19, 2023, or until all available funds are expended.

Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program. Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding, such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims, or other resources.

Loans made under this program are short-term, zero-interest, personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants and loans must be repaid by the approved applicant.

DEO administers the Emergency Bridge Loan Program alongside its fiscal administrator, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation.

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and complete an application by the June 19, 2023, deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Deputy Broward County Administrator In Charge During Flooding Specializes In Equity, Social Justice And “Dismantling Racism”

4 Replies

County Administrator Monica Cepero was on vacation when epic amounts of rain fell on Broward County last week. Cepero left Deputy County Administrator Kimm Campbell in charge. Campbell, who holds advanced degrees in social work, focuses on issues involving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Campbell once said her goal was “dismantling racism in Broward.”

Some County insiders question Campbell’s performance during the flooding. They believe Campbell was late in declaring a state of emergency. Others wonder why the Broward Emergency Operations Center (EOC) did not open until the wee hours of the morning after flooding.

While the flooded streets littered with cars were the jurisdiction of Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, the County controls Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

Flooding closed the airport for days. People were trapped inside and outside the terminals.

Flooding at Port Everglades created gas shortages still being felt in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami Dade.

Some County insiders wonder if Campbell should have been left in charge in the first place.

In an August 2022 press release announcing Campbell’s promotion, the County touted her role in DEI programs.

“Campbell has provided leadership for the development of major initiatives in Broward County including Civil Citation and Predisposition Services, the Broward County Dismantling Racism Initiative, and the Race Equity in Child Welfare Taskforce, among others.”

The County said, “Campbell is most passionate about creating equitable access to quality services for all and approaches her work from this perspective to create lasting community change.”

When accepting a trailblazer award in 2020, Campbell said her, “priority now is working towards racial equity across all sectors.”

In describing her legacy, Campbell said, “We will dismantle racism….Broward will be an anti-racist governmental entity.”

Is creating “lasting community change” the criteria for choosing leaders to guide us through an emergency?

Should County Administrators focus on emergency procedures as well as racial equity?

Shouldn’t an anti-racist governmental entity be able to help people stranded inside airport terminals?