Small Business Resources for Hurricane Ian Recovery

Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and it is critical that they get a quick recovery from a natural disaster. This guide provides information and resources for small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian. If your business has been impacted, please don't hesitate to reach out for help. There are people and organizations ready to assist you in getting back on your feet. Thanks for being strong members of our community, and we wish you all the best in your recovery.

The following resources are available to residents and businesses affected by Hurricane Ian.

Important Resources & Links

FEMA
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/hurricane-ian

Small Business Administration (SBA)
https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/

Florida Disaster – Division of Emergency Management
https://www.floridadisaster.org

Restore Your Economy
Resource for up-to-date information related to economic recovery from natural disasters provided by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)
https://restoreyoureconomy.org

FloridaDisaster.biz Disaster Assessment
https://floridadisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments

Road Closures
https://floridadisaster.biz/Roadtravel

Enterprise Florida
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/disaster-assistance/

Lee County Government
https://www.leegov.com

City of Sanibel
https://www.mysanibel.com/hurricane/hurricane-ian

City of Cape Coral
https://www.capecoral.gov

City of Fort Myers
https://www.cityftmyers.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1388

US Chamber of Commerce Foundation – Small Business Recovery
https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/disaster-help-desk-business

Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce
https://capecoralchamber.com/hurricane-ian-information/

Open for Business List
https://veoci.com/v/p/dashboard/pvfmdu9ap8

Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
https://fortmyers.org/resources/hurricane-information/

Estero Chamber of Commerce
https://esterochamber.org

Small Business Loans

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
Provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that 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.
https://floridajobs.org/EBL

Small Business Administration – Disaster Loans
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/hurricane-ian

Employment Assistance

Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federally funded benefit program that assists individuals who become unemployed because of a disaster.
https://floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/disaster-unemployment-assistance

Disaster Recovery Jobs Portal
https://disasterrecovery.employflorida.com/vosnet/Default.aspx

Reemployment Assistance
https://floridajobs.org/Reemployment-Assistance-Service-Center/reemployment-assistance/claimants/apply-for-benefits

Workforce Disaster Assistance Programs
https://floridadisaster.biz/ManageContent?PageID=DISLOCATED+WORKER+GRANT+PROGRAM

Small Business Administration – Disaster Assistance Jobs
https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/work-sba/disaster-response-jobs-sba

Disaster Assistance – Hurricane Ian
https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4673

Insurance Claims

Florida Department of Financial Services deployed two Initial Payment Centers in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte, where insurance carriers will be on hand to assist residents with the insurance claims process:

The Port Charlotte Initial Payment Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Port Charlotte Town Center parking lot, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte FL

Fort Myers Initial Payment Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL

The City of Sanibel has expanded its policy about access to the island to include insurance adjusters. Insurance adjusters must provide a state insurance adjuster license and proof of each assigned Sanibel claim to the adjuster, including the name of insured, insured’s address and claim number. This information should be emailed to andrea.miller@mysanibel.com.

Permits & Licensing

Florida Licensing on Wheels’ mobile location is providing residents with no-fee replacement driver licenses, identification cards and titles.

FLOW is at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall,
1441 Tamiami Trail,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All week.
https://www.flhsmv.gov/locations/florida-licensing-wheels-flow/

City of Cape Coral Emergency Permit Procedure
Hurricane Ian Damage related emergency permits will be issued at City Hall on paper and not thru the EnerGov Permitting system. Staff is also working on adding an additional permitting site at the Cape Coral Art Center off Coronado Pkwy to deal with the volume from emergency permits. Also, City Staff is working with IT to create a special portal in EnerGov to handle emergency permits that will be phased in the future.
https://capecoralchamber.com/city-of-cape-coral-emergency-permit-procedure/

City of Fort Myers
NO PERMIT FEES FOR DAMAGES CAUSED BY HURRICANE IAN
The city has suspended permit fees for work to correct damages caused by Hurricane Ian. Please note this is effective September 30, 2022.
https://www.cityftmyers.com/1293/Building-Permitting-Inspections

The Village of Estero online permitting system is operational, with emergency permitting available. Building repairs not requiring a permit include screen replacement and window or door glass replacement. Structural components of a lanai require a permit as do entire window or door frame replacement.
https://fl-estero.gov-easy.com/home

Tax Relief

Tax Relief After a Disaster
Victims of Hurricane Ian in Florida now have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses

Additional Resources

Operation Blue Roof
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activated Operation Blue Roof to provide temporary blue tarp-like covering to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made. This service is free to homeowners in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lee and Sarasota counties, and the initial sign-up period lasts until October 23.
https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/Blue-Roof-Information

Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Units
Powered by Matthew 25: Ministries,providing free, full-service laundry to residents affected by the recent floods caused by Hurricane Ian.
Walmart Supercenter, 545 Pine Island Rd., in North Fort Myers, FL
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lee County Library System – Wifi, Computer Access & Printing
The following libraries will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Services include wi-fi, computer access, mobile printing and curbside holds pickup.
Bonita Springs Public Library, 10560 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs
Cape Coral Public Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral
East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road N., Lehigh Acres
North Fort Myers Public Library, 2001 N Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers
South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero
Talking Books Library, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers

Toy Drive for Children
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis announced a toy drive for children impacted by Hurricane Ian. All toy donations must be new and unwrapped and delivered to the following locations:

Lee County
Next Level Church,
12400 Plantation Road, Fort Myers, FL
9:00am - 4:00pm Monday through Friday

Charlotte County
Murdock Baptist Church,
18375 Cochran Blvd., Port Charlotte, FL
9:00am - 5:00pm Monday through Friday; 9:00am - 12:00pm Saturday

If your business has been impacted by Hurricane Ian, consider utilizing these resources for help. The resources above can connect you with the assistance and support you need to rebuild and get back to work. We hope that you are all safe and sound, and we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Sources:

https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/hurricane-help-local-resources-for-storm-recovery/
https://capecoralchamber.com/hurricane-ian-information/
https://fortmyers.org/resources/hurricane-information/