A $25 million emergency loan program will be available next week to citrus growers who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma.
Gov. Rick Scott announced the program --- offering interest-free loans up to $150,000 --- on Friday. The program will be managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced Wednesday that Irma caused $2.5 billion in damages to Florida's agriculture industry, with losses to citrus crops and trees approaching $761 million.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 30.
The interest-free “bridge” loans will have terms up to one year.
To be eligible, growers must have been established before Sept. 4 and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma.