Ian Update 48 - Libraries, power, small business loans

Posted On: October 5, 2022

Recovery efforts continue across Volusia County. Here’s the latest information from the Emergency Operations Center.

Most library branches are open

Thirteen of the 14 branches of the Volusia County Public Library system are open for normal hours.

The John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 411 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach, was flooded during the storm and will be closed until further notice.

The Daytona Beach Regional Library reopened today for normal business hours, which are:

• Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

Each library branch has public access computers and free Wi-Fi. Library staff is available to help residents access FEMA applications. FEMA representatives are not on site.

For information about branch locations and hours, visit www.volusialibrary.org.

Power

Electricity has been restored to all homes and businesses except for those that cannot receive it because of damage to private property. Ninety-one Duke Energy customers and 540 Florida Power & Light customers are without power.

FEMA assistance

According to the Federal Emergency Management Administration, 18,512 Volusia County residents have applied for assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance program.

Residents may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or by calling 800-621-3362. Representatives will be available to take calls through this number from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. County officials encourage residents who are applying for assistance to download the FEMA app, which allows residents to check the status of their applications. 

Shelter

Currently, 203 residents, including six special needs patients, are housed in the shelter at the Ocean Center.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

Gov. Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $50 million available – at least $10 million of which must go to small businesses that are agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ian in 22 counties, including Volusia and Flagler. Small businesses in the most impacted counties – Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota – will be escalated and prioritized as they are received.

The program, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, provides short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Ian. Businesses can apply now through Dec. 2, or until all available funds are expended.

Loans approved through the Emergency Bridge Loan Program 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. Eligible small businesses may apply for loans of up to $50,000 through the program. 

Loans made under this program are short-term, zero-interest, personal loans using State of Florida funds. They are not grants, and loans must be repaid by the approved applicant.

Visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to learn more about the program, as well as to view the lending guidelines and required documentation and to complete an application by the Dec. 2 deadline. Business owners who need further program information may call 833-832-4494 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Citizens Information Center

County staff continues to take calls and provide information at the Citizens Information Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Residents may call 386-345-0345.