Local businesses are responding to the SBA running out of money for disaster loans after major hurricanes

OCOEE, Fla. — A local restaurant’s recovery from Hurricane Milton is in jeopardy after the Small Business Administration announced Tuesday that funding for its disaster loan program had dried up.

Fruta Mix owner Alex Aguilar said the popular Mexican takeaway in Ocoee was completely destroyed during Milton. Nearly half of the roof came off and Aguilar said there was water damage to the restaurant.

Aguilar said they were on a cruise when they were told about the damage caused by Milton.

“Our staff came here and showed us pictures and it was a really good cruise until we learned what happened here,” Aguilar said.

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He said he’s particularly worried about his employees being out of work after Hurricane Milton.

“I was able to give them temporary work at other restaurants in the area, but it’s mostly about my employees and that’s what I’m most worried about is fixing the problem,” Aguilar said.

Aguilar said they thought about getting a disaster loan from the SBA.

But after demand for disaster relief increased following Hurricane Helene, the SBA announced that it had exhausted funds for its disaster loan program.

“I just hope to find another opportunity to open another Fruta Mix,” Aguilar said.

According to the SBA, the agency received approximately 37,000 applications for Hurricane Helene assistance.

The agency said it has already made over 700 loan offers related to Helene, worth about $48 million.

The SBA says it has already received over 12,000 applications for Hurricane Milton.

The SBA said the agency is suspending new loan offerings until Congress approves additional funding. However, the SBA said it will continue to support existing borrowers and applicants who have already received offers.

The agency is also encouraging people to apply anyway, as congressional leaders have pledged that additional funding will be made available when Congress returns in November.

For more information about SBA disaster loans, click here.

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