Shannon Staub Library is serving as a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.

DRCs provide information from Florida state agencies, FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration, and other available resources for individuals, families and business owners. DRCs also assist federal assistance applications and disaster loans and updating in-progress applications.

It is not necessary to visit a center to apply for assistance, visit disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362.

Shannon Staub Library is located at: 4675 Career Lane, North Port.

If transportation is needed: Sarasota County OnDemand has resumed operation from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Riders should be patient and expect potentially longer wait times due to some road closures. Residents in North Port can use the OnDemand service for travel to and from the Disaster Recovery Center at Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port, by calling 941-300-1553.

SBA Business Recovery Center

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has a Business Recovery Center at the Venice Community Center to assist Floridians with their SBA disaster loan applications. The SBA Business Recovery Center will be located in Room E at the VCC.

Sarasota County
Location: Venice Community Center, 326 S Nokomis Ave, Venice, FL 34285
Hours: Monday - Saturday
Holiday hours: Closed Thursday, Nov. 24 - Sunday, Nov. 27
Closed: Sundays, beginning Nov. 20

The deadline to apply for disaster loan assistance from the SBA for physical damage is Nov. 28. Find out more here.

Business Damage Assessment Survey

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey in response to Hurricane Ian. Survey responses will allow the state to EXPEDITE Hurricane Ian recovery efforts by gathering data and assessing the needs of affected businesses. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE YOUR INFORMATION ON DAMAGE/LOSS ASAP. Results from the Business Damage Assessment Survey will be shared with various federal, state, and local agencies to implement appropriate relief. Businesses can complete the survey online or visit FloridaDisaster.biz and select “Hurricane Ian” from the dropdown menu.

U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

Small Business Administration disaster loans are available to businesses, homeowners, renters, and nonprofit organizations in some Florida counties.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Business Recovery Center on Monday, Oct. 3 in Tampa, FL. The BRC is established to provide one-on-one assistance with submitting a disaster loan application for Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian beginning Sept. 23. Business owners can meet in-person with specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of programs designed to help them navigate their recovery. The disaster declaration includes Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole counties in Florida, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Brevard, Broward, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Pasco, Sumter and Volusia in Florida. SBA’s Business Recovery Center will remain open as indicated below until further notice:

SBA Business Recovery Center Hillsborough County

Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center

1907 E. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL 33610

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. / Closed: Sunday

Applicants may also apply at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov under declaration #17644. For help, call 800-659-2955 or send an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan:

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.

EnterpriseFlorida.com/disaster-assistance

SBDCtampabay.com/business-continuity-disaster-preparedness

Debris from Commercial Properties

Sarasota County businesses, churches, schools, golf courses, non-profit organizations and common areas of neighborhoods are considered commercial entities. In addition, apartment complexes, trailer parks and condominiums where residents typically place garbage, recycling and/or yard waste materials in a central location for disposal (i.e. dumpster or compactor) are also considered commercial properties. After a storm, debris removal from commercial properties is the responsibility of the property owner. Commercial property owners should contact their insurance company or the FEMA Small Business Administration Program for assistance with debris removal. Please note that the county debris contractor only provides services to residential properties

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service announced tax relief for individuals and households affected by Hurricane Ian that reside or have a business anywhere in the state of Florida. If you are in one of the designated Florida counties for Individual Assistance or a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, you have until Feb. 15, 2023, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payment

Help During Disasters (IRS)

Comprehensive list of resources for employers or employees facing the effects of disaster.

Tax Relief for Disaster Situations

This page provides tax relief information from the IRS

FEMA published an Ian webpage that includes information on how to donate, volunteer, dispel rumors, and find assistance. The page is available in multiple languages.

FloodSmart.gov

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program policyholders can start a claim when evacuated. They should ask their agent about advance payments to receive up to $20,000. If you need help reaching your flood insurance agent or carrier, call 877-336-2627. Visit Floodsmart.gov to start a flood insurance claim.

Florida survivors can apply for federal assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Survivors using a relay service such as a video relay service, captioned telephone service, or others, give the FEMA operator the number for that service. To reduce your wait time on phone, try calling early in the morning or later at night.

Please visit our Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Members ACCOMMODATIONS page

Please visit our Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Members REAL-ESTATE-PROPERTY MANAGEMENT/RENTALS page

Please visit our Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Members REAL ESTATE page

This is a topic that is often difficult to discuss, yet it is critical to recovery. There are resources to help minor to severe trauma by allowing people to express their experiences. By ignoring the problem, it may only get worse, and your business may lose key people at critical recovery times. It is better to address issues or needs up front and allow your team to debrief.

Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

To reach out for free 24/7 counseling or support, contact the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs’ to 66746. TTY for Deaf/Hearing Impaired: 1-800-846-8517. To see the Red Cross page for this resource, click here .

Suncoast Cares: Dial 2-1-1

Residents in Manatee, Sarasota, and Desoto Counties can access 2-1-1 by phone, email, chat or text (just text your zip code to 898-211). Reaching out will get you connected to a multilingual 2-1-1 specialist in your area who can put you in touch with local organizations providing critical services.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org for Disaster Survivor Resources

American Psychological Association – Works with the Red Cross on crisis counseling.

Helplines for Assistance:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Hotline: Call or Text 1-800-985-5990
• 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral to Community Resources: Call 211 to be linked to your community provider.
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988.
• American Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center: 1-833-492-0094
• National Human Trafficking Hotline.org Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733
• Florida Department of Children and Families Abuse Hotline: 1-800-962-2873
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.
• RAINN.org National Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-800-656-HOPE

DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV

• Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.

• Learn about more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.

• Apply for disaster assistance online.

• Check the status of your application.

• Find a nearby FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

• Get help with housing.

• Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs.

• Change the address for Social Security, VA, or other federal benefits.

Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for businesses, homeowners, and renters.

DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV

• Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.

• Learn about more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.

• Apply for disaster assistance online.

• Check the status of your application.

• Find a nearby FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).

• Get help with housing.

• Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs.

• Change the address for Social Security, VA, or other federal benefits.

Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for businesses, homeowners, and renters.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a benefit program funded by the U.S. Department of Labor that assists individuals who become unemployed as a result of a disaster. Eligible applicants may apply on the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) website.

FLORIDA’S DISASTER RECOVERY JOBS PORTAL

A statewide jobs portal that connects businesses and individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian with workforce programs. Through the portal, job seekers can apply for jobs, create a resume, apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and more.

WORKFORCE DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

This page provides information on national and state programs.

EXPEDITED RECOVERY PERMITS

Visit this page for details about expediting Permits related to Hurricane Ian recovery through the Sarasota County permitting system.

DISASTER CONTRACTORS NETWORK

List of licensed contractors that can be searched by contractor name, county, and type.

FLORIDA HOUSING

This is a free, state resource that provides detailed information about rental properties and helps find housing to best fit needs and income. Florida Housing has ensured that all current listings are up to date if families need to quickly relocate.