Walt’s Seasonal Cuisine – A Pinellas County Success Story

SBDC Helps Pinellas Restaurant Access Emergency Loan Fund

Walt’s Seasonal Cuisine, a Pinellas county restaurant, has benefited from Florida’s Emergency Bridge Loan program. The loan program, coordinated locally by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at USF, provided a much needed injection of cash to the restaurant for marketing initiatives they had planned to cope with current conditions.

Due to the effects of the oil spill the restaurant began to experience a decline in sales. The owner developed some aggressive strategies to help them cope with the downturn in business but they needed a little help to keep them afloat until their strategies flourished.

SBDC at USF Contact for Bridge Loan Applicants

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDC), which includes the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Florida (USF) has been appointed the primary technical assistance provider of the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan program.

BP Opens Tampa Bay Area Claims Office in Clearwater

An oil spill claims office has been opened by BP in Clearwater, the first in the Tampa Bay area. Businesses and individuals can file claims seven days a week at the Clearwater Office. 

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is the primary technical assistance provider in support of the application process of small businesses in need of the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program.  We are a major resource on the SBA’s Disaster Loan program as well.  Business owners should refer to the following website set up specifically for the loan programs at www.floridaoilhelp.com. There you will find the latest information about the programs, requirements, related forms, and links to various resources and frequently asked questions. 

Florida SBDC Helping Businesses Impacted by BP Oil Spill

Florida SBDC Network Mobile Assistance Center Deployed to Pensacola Beach to Assist Businesses Impacted by BP Oil Spill Incident

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available for Tampa Bay Businesses Impacted by BP Oil Spill

On 5/13/2010, the SBA declared the Tampa Bay area businesses eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans if the business has been negatively impacted by the deepwater BP oil spill. The following counties in the Tampa Bay area are eligible: DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota.

What Does the Oil Spill Mean to Small Businesses?

With close to 1,200 miles of shoreline and 663 miles of beaches, Florida’s small businesses can be severely impacted by the oil spill in Louisiana. Tourism is one of Florida’s three key economic engines and a vital part of our economy, with 74 million visitors in 2009, Florida continues to be the top travel destination in the world. The tourism industry has an economic impact of around $50 billion on Florida’s economy. 500,000 jobs are created in the state by beach tourists.