DESTIN, Fla. ~ Florida has approved more than $4.5 million in short-term loans for 65 small businesses affected by Hurricane Isaias, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. The loans are intended to help businesses cover expenses while they await longer-term funding, such as insurance payments, the state said.

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, administered by FloridaCommerce, offers no-interest loans to businesses that suffered physical damage or economic injury from the storm. Applications are being accepted through Nov. 25, 2026, or until funds run out, according to the announcement.

DeSantis said the state was helping businesses reopen and workers return to their jobs. He cited Jackacuda's Seafood and Sushi in Destin as one business that had resumed operations.

FloridaCommerce said it received 238 responses to a Business Damage Assessment Survey about the storm's effects. Within 48 hours of landfall, the agency and partner organizations deployed eight teams to canvass businesses in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The teams contacted 737 business owners, the state said, and the survey feedback helped prompt the loan program's activation.

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The state also said the Florida Department of Emergency Management had requested a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. The request seeks federal Public Assistance for 15 counties and Individual Assistance for eligible residents in eight designated counties. If approved, the assistance could help cover certain government and nonprofit recovery costs, as well as temporary housing, basic home repairs and other disaster-related needs for individuals and households.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has teams available to help businesses reopen, the announcement said. The department advised residents to verify contractors' licenses and consult their insurance agencies before signing agreements. Licenses can be checked at MyFloridaLicense.com, and suspected unlicensed activity can be reported at ULA.MyFloridaLicense.com.

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