Eligibility

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a county or municipality located in an area designated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations for Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole.
• Applicant must submit all required information and documentation.
• Applicant must show that it may suffer or has suffered substantial loss of its tax or other
  revenues as a result of the hurricane and demonstrate a need for financial assistance to enable it to continue to perform its governmental operations.

How to Apply

How to Apply

To determine your eligibility for a Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan, please submit the following checklist items via email to LocalGovernmentBridge@deo.myflorida.com. Only complete loan applications will be considered for funding. For assistance, contact the program by email at LocalGovernmentBridge@deo.myflorida.com.

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Additional Documents

• Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Emergency Rule

Webinar

Webinar

To provide potential applicants with more information on the application process, DEO is hosting a Technical Assistance Webinar on Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Register now to attend the webinar.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan?

The Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan provides interest-free loans to support continued or expanded governmental operations for local governments that were impacted by Hurricanes Ian or Nicole. This funding will help impacted local governments that receive funding bridge the gap until they receive federal reimbursements, or their revenues have otherwise recovered.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

A local government, either a county or a municipality, located in an area designated in the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations for Hurricane Ian or Hurricane Nicole is eligible to apply. An applicant must show that it may suffer or has suffered substantial loss of its tax or other revenues as a result of the hurricane and demonstrate a need for financial assistance to enable it to continue to perform its governmental operations.

How can our Local Government Apply?

Required information and documentation can be submitted to LocalGovernmentBridge@deo.myflorida.com. Please visit FloridaJobs.org/LocalGovernmentBridge to find an application checklist and additional information.
 

Why is it called an Emergency “Bridge” Loan?

These loans are intended to bridge the gap between when the disaster occurs and when additional funding becomes available, or the local governments revenues have recovered. 

Do I need to pay back the Emergency Bridge Loan?

Yes. The term of the loan is one year, unless otherwise extended by FloridaCommerce, but may not exceed 18 months. Interest will not accrue during the term of the loan. At maturity, simple interest will accrue on any unpaid principal balance at a rate of 10 percent. 

How much funding is available?

Through s. 288.066, F.S., FloridaCommerce was allocated a one-time appropriation of $50 million. 

Can School Districts Apply?

A county may apply on behalf of a county school district.

What is the deadline to Apply?

DEO will accept applications until funds are exhausted.  

What is the maximum amount a Local Government can request?

There is no statutory maximum for the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program. However, FloridaCommerce has the discretion to fund applications at a lower amount than requested, based on the documentation provided, and in relation to demonstrated need from other eligible applicants.