May 22, 2023
Last month, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that more than $40 million in loans to 14 small businesses had already been obligated through the Florida State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0, which stimulated more than $137 million in private capital lending. This new capital for small businesses and startups has led to more than 340 jobs for unemployed Floridians.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to work urgently to deliver small business and job creation resources into the hands of small businesses, communities, and economic development partners,” said DEO Acting Secretary Meredith Ivey. “For many of Florida’s nearly 550,000 small businesses—the employers of more than 5.1 million Floridians—programs like SSBCI 2.0 can help employers expand operations and jobs.”