Gov. Bush promises small business relief
By Chris Butler
staff writer
STUART–Gov. Jeb Bush said relief is coming to small
business owners along the Treasure Coast who say they
don’t have the financial resources to survive the
aftermath of Hurricane Frances.
At a press conference in front of the Economic Council
of Martin County, Gov. Bush told the crowd, many of
whom were small business owners, about a bridge loan
program designed to help them recover.
Implemented after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the
state’s Emergency Bridge Loan Program will provide
short-term loans to businesses located in counties
severely impacted by Frances, the governor said.
The program was put into place after Hurricane
Charley, which affected Florida’s West Coast, with a
$15 million budget, he added.
In the aftermath of Frances, the budget will increase
by $9 million, with all of the $9 million specifically
designated for the Treasure Coast.
Gov. Bush said the loans, with a limit of $25,000
each, will be available to businesses with 100
employees or less.
The governor said the loans will be interest-free for
180 days.
This is about as good a loan as a business will ever
get,” he said.
The interest-free loan applications are available in
Martin, Brevard, St. Lucie and Indian River counties
at participating area banks.
Individual counties will administer the bridge loans.
Gov. Bush said applicants would receive a rapid
response, within 72 hours.
“No Hollywood producer could have come up with a
script that would have had as many challenges as the
reality of the past few weeks have been for Florida,”
Gov. Bush said.
“But I firmly believe that members of this community
will rebound and be back on their feet,” he added.
The governor also said the rebuilding efforts in
Frances’ aftermath will result in economic
stimulation.
“I’m not being Pollyannaish. But, by nature, I am
optimistic,” he said.
One of the business owners in attendance was Bob
Trudel, owner of Jan’s Place in Jensen Beach, which
was still without power as of Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Trudel said the governor’s remarks were
encouraging.
“Economically, our businesses are suffering,” Mr.
Trudel said.
Mr. Trudel said he had just received many of his
bills, including one from FP&L.
“I thought that was rather amusing. But those bills
are due now. My business just isn’t fully recovered
enough yet,” he said.
Mr. Trudel talked with Gov. Bush before the press
conference.
“I’m so appreciative that the governor talked to me. I
don’t think I could ask for anything more than that,”
Mr. Trudel said.
Gov. Bush also said he doesn’t expect Hurricane
Francis to hurt tourism along the Treasure Coast.
For people that come to visit us, this will be a faint
memory. Next week, all the networks are just going to
go back to Laci (Peterson), or whatever the next trial
is,” Gov. Bush said.