The El Nino weather pattern made this past January the rainiest on record for South Florida since 1932 according to the South Florida Water Management District. Environmental advocates, business owners and public officials opposed the back-pumping of nutrient-laden agricultural runoff back into Lake Okeechobee and the billions of gallons of water that was discharged each day into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers. Those discharges sent murky brown water to the coast around Sanibel Island.
The polluted water disrupts salinity levels in the Caloosahatchee estuary killing oyster beds, sea grasses and other marine life. It’s also an eye-sore for beachgoers and a strain on tourism related industries. Meanwhile, flooding decimated crops and even prevented growers from entering their fields throughout South Florida. We explore the widespread economic impacts, possible solutions to reduce such harmful effects in the future, and financial assistance available for effected businesses both at the state and federal level.
Guests:
Frank Mann, Lee County Commission Chair/Chairman of theLee County Tourist Development Council
Gene McAvoy, Extension Director and Vegetable Agent IV with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Science’s Hendry County Extension Office
Matthew Young, Public Affairs Specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration
Affected Businesses can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or by calling 800-659-2955.
Businesses can also apply for loans through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program by calling 239-745-3704.
