Sanibel receives $13.1 million bridge loan award from Florida following hurricane

By Amber Jo Cooper

Published Jun. 27, 2023, 3:29 p.m. ET | Updated Jun. 27, 2023

Newly reopened Sanibel Causeway, Oct. 19, 2022.

SANIBEL, Fla. (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the award of a $13.1 million bridge loan to the city of Sanibel through the local government Emergency Bridge Loan Program Tuesday.

The program is administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to support government operations that may have been impacted by Hurricanes Ian or Nicole.

These funds bridge the gap for local governments while their revenues recover after a natural disaster, according to the press release.

The award builds on the $25 million awarded to Lee County and $11.9 million awarded to the town of Fort Myers Beach through the loan program, bringing the total awarded to $50 million.

“I’m proud to announce the City of Sanibel will receive $13.1 million through the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan to continue providing important services for the people of Sanibel following Hurricane Ian,” DeSantis said.

“We will continue to find ways to support the long-term recovery of hurricane-impacted communities across the state,” DeSantis said.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said the governor’s commitment to southwest Florida is “phenomenal.”

“We know Sanibel sustained horrendous damage, and I am pleased to see that they applied for and received this important loan as they work to rebuild this iconic Florida community,” Passidomo tweeted.

.@GovRonDeSantis' commitment to SWFL is phenomenal! Today he announced a $13.1m bridge loan to the City of Sanibel through the Local Govt Emergency Bridge Loan Program. We authored the program to help communities in SWFL continue operations. Loans are provided interest-free.
— Kathleen Passidomo (@Kathleen4SWFL) June 27, 2023

“On behalf of the Sanibel City Council, we are forevermore grateful to Governor DeSantis, Senate President Passidomo, State Representative Adam Botana and Senator Jonathan Martin for their leadership and consistent support they have provided to Sanibel after Hurricane Ian devastated our community,” Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson said.

“This bridge loan provides Sanibel with needed financial support to continue with our recovery efforts,” Johnson said.

For more information about the local government Emergency Bridge Loan Program, visit www.FloridaJobs.org/LocalGovernmentBridge.