FGCU SBDC, U.S. Small Business Administration Present Seminar on Available Federal Assistance to Business Damaged by Recent Storms
11/9/2004

FORT MYERS, FL - The Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration present a free seminar 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1 at the Cape Coral City Council Chambers to provide detailed information regarding federal assistance available to non-farm businesses damaged by recent hurricanes in Southwest Florida.

The seminar focuses on the SBA's low-interest disaster loan program that is available to businesses and how to complete the business loan application including the types of financial information needed for speedy loan processing.

The seminar follows a 90-minute presentation format, and provides 30 minutes for a questions and answers with SBA representatives.

The SBA (www.sba.gov ) is the primary source of federal assistance for the long-term recovery of non-farm businesses that suffered physical damage or economic injury resulting from recent hurricanes.

Deadlines to apply for loans to repair or replace physically damaged property is normally two months from the declared date. The SBA has extended the deadlines for Hurricanes Charley and Frances to Dec. 11. The deadline for Hurricane Ivan is Nov. 15 and the deadline for Hurricane Jeanne is Nov. 26.

The deadlines for businesses submitting applications to the SBA to obtain loans to help overcome economic injury losses caused by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne are May 5, June 6, June 16, and June 27, 2005 respectively.

Business owners should call the FGCU SBDC at (239) 225-4220 or the City of Cape Coral Office of Economic Development at (239) 574-0444 for more information or to register to attend the seminar. For more information about the SBA's disaster loan programs, visit www.sba.gov/disaster .

Cape Coral City Council Chambers are located at 1015 Cultural Park Blvd.

For more information, contact FGCU SBDC director Dan Regelski at (239) 225-4220.

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