Disaster Preparedness
The City of Hollywood is designated as a Business Recovery Center in Broward County to provide businesses with information to expedite disaster recovery. Information about additional disaster recovery resources will be posted on the City of Hollywood's website as it becomes available.
Related Resources
City of Hollywood Open for Business Program
The City of Hollywood's Open for Business Program will assist residents, businesses and the City in identifying businesses that are safe, structurally sound and open for business after a natural disaster. Through the City's Open for Business Program, businesses can obtain a free reusable static cling door/window decal or a reusable door hanger to display at the business after a natural disaster to let the public know the business is open. The business will also receive free marketing after a natural disaster to help drive traffic to the business and help the business generate revenue. Participating businesses will also be provided with the most up-to-date information about business resources available to help businesses recover after a natural disaster. For more information, please contact the Department of Community and Economic Development at 954.921.3388.
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City of Hollywood Open for Business Program Application
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City of Hollywood Open for Business Manual
U.S. Small Business Administration - Disaster Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides assistance to private and non-profit organizations that have suffered physical damage as a result of a disaster. Any business in a declared disaster area may be eligible to apply for a physical disaster loan of up to $2 million. The loan can be used for repair or replacement of real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory and leasehold improvements. The interest rate is determined by the applicant's ability to obtain credit elsewhere. If the applicant cannot obtain credit elsewhere, a maximum interest rate of 4 percent per year is imposed. Long term loans extend up to 30 years.
An Economic Injury Loan (EIL) is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and certain private, non-profit organizations of all sizes that have suffered substantial economic injury resulting from a physical disaster or an agricultural production disaster. The EIL can provide up to $2 million in disaster assistance. The interest rate on EIL's cannot exceed 4 percent per year, loans cannot exceed 30 years and terms will be determined by the ability to repay the loan. To obtain more information about the SBA's disaster assistance loan program and other programs and services available to businesses, please contact 305.536.5521.
Small Business Development Center
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides counseling and assistance to help businesses recover that have temporarily closed or incurred damage due to a natural disaster. The SBDC is located at 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., Room 530, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. You may visit
SBDC or call 954.762.5201.
Enterprise Florida Inc.
Enterprise Florida offers no interest, short-term (bridge) loans funded by the State of Florida to help businesses quickly recover from structural damage and replace lost or damaged inventory. The short-term bridge loans will assist businesses in bridging the gap between the time the damage occurred and when the company can access insurance funds and SBA loans. The short-term bridge loan lasts from 90 to 180 days with a maximum loan amount of $25,000 to be borrowed. The short-term bridge loan is offered on a first come first serve. The loan application will be considered within 48-72 hours. To qualify for the short-term bridge loan, businesses must be in existence for a year.
WorkForce One provides disaster unemployment assistance and temporary employment (e.g. storm clean-up) for individuals not working due to a natural disaster. To contact Workforce One please call the following:
• For jobs seekers call 954.611.JOBS
• For employers call 954.677.5555
For more information on WorkForce One programs and services, please visit www.employflorida.com.
To apply to the Florida unemployment assistance program, for individuals who are still unemployed as a result of a natural disaster, call 800.204.2418 or visit
www.fluidnow.com. There is also a short time compensation program if individuals have had working hours reduced as a result of a natural disaster.
Florida Department of Financial Services
The Florida Department of Financial Services provides information regarding filing insurance claims for damages incurred due to a natural disaster. A representative from financial services will provide information regarding Florida law affecting insurance claims and other insurance issues related to Florida businesses directly impacted by a natural disaster. Homeowners can contact the Florida Department of Financial Services at 1.800.22.STORM or by visiting
www.fldfs.com. For business issues, businesses should fax business name, mailing address, all insurance information, date of loss, and names of all interested parties to 850.488.6372. Any repair work to limit damages should commence immediately. Businesses are encouraged to keep all photos, records, invoices of all repairs completed after a natural disaster. Depending on the scale of the damage, disaster adjusters may need extra time to get in contact with claimants.
FEMA
FEMA only offers personal disaster recovery assistance. There are no services or assistance to businesses. FEMA can be reached at 1.800.621.FEMA. FEMA encourage claimants to have ready their social security number (including spouse, if applicable), private insurance information (if available), address of damaged property, directions to damaged property, and daytime telephone number before making contact. For the speech or hearing impaired call 1.800.462.7585. For more information please visit
www.fema.gov.
