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Business and Real Estate: About the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

The 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. Loans made under this […]

Florida Commerce Secretary Kelly, Lt. Gov. Nuñez visit to support recovery

In a visit aimed at highlighting the importance of local commerce, Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly toured Gasparilla Island on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to meet with small business owners affected by the recent hurricanes. Kelly’s visit focused on businesses still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage in the area. Kelly and […]

Unemployment assistance

Florida Commerce is accepting applications from eligible residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted due to Hurricane Milton. Residents are encouraged to submit a claim at FloridaJobs. org. Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to those who are ineligible to receive federal or state Reemployment Assistance benefits and meet one of the following requirements: Is unemployed as a direct result of […]

Sand and sandbag post-hurricane instructions

Residents can use over-washed sand to fill in holes and may return sand to the beach as long as the below requirements are met, including the return of sand to the beach dune system which has been deposited upland by the storm. No state or local government permit or other authorization shall be required for […]

Update from Lee County on Boca Grande recovery

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Board of Lee County Commissioners included various updates on Boca Grande Milton recovery, including sand screening and permitting. Lee Director of Solid Waste Douglass Whitehead gave an update on debris collection, which started for Hurricane Milton on Monday, Oct. 14. By Tuesday’s meeting they had collected […]

Losses significant at Catholic Church and Preschool

The Rev. Anthony Hewitt, priest of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, has begun daily Mass at the parish’s Life Center, and for the time being will have one Mass on Sundays there, as well. The main church, rectory and Boca Grande Preschool, which is under the direction of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, are […]

Charlotte County opens barrier islands

Charlotte County’s bridgeless barrier islands have reopened to residents and businesses, including Palm Island and Little Gasparilla. As residents return, we urge them to exercise caution:  • FPL continues to work to restore power. • Use caution crossing Don Pedro Island’s Anne Merry Bridge. • Many areas still contain debris and storm surge sand.

Island School moves to Fellowship Church

BY CHRISTINE OLIVER We would like to provide you with an update regarding our transition to our temporary location. We are excited to welcome all students back on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at Fellowship Church in Rotonda. We are grateful to Fellowship Church for allowing us to use their space, and we will continue to follow […]