According to the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, businesses looking to get back in operation after Hurricane Irma should consider the following steps:
1. Register for the Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center and complete the business damage assessment survey to report any damage. This information is needed and will be used to determine the needs and level of assistance for impacted businesses, including activation of the Emergency Bridge Loan Program and federal assistance.
2. Inform the workforce that St. Johns County has been added to the Major Disaster Declaration list, meaning that individuals in St. Johns County can apply for federal individual assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov.
3. Email the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce with questions at beau.phillips@sjcchamber.com.
Also, keep in mind the following things to come…
· The Department of Economic Opportunity is readying the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program to provide temporary income support to eligible individuals in counties approved for FEMA individual assistance.
· The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is working on deploying its Mobile Assistance Unit to the most affected areas. The Small Business Development Center administers the Bridge Loan Program.
