OCOEE, Fla. – A local restaurant’s recovery after Hurricane Milton hangs in the balance after the Small Business Administration announced funding dried up for its Disaster Loan Program on Tuesday.
Fruta Mix’s owner, Alex Aguilar, said the popular Mexican food spot in Ocoee was completely destroyed during Milton. Nearly half of the roof came off and Aguilar said there was water damage in the restaurant.
Aguilar said they were on a cruise when they were told about the damage caused by Milton.
“Our employees came in here and showed us pictures and it was a really good cruise until we got the news of what happened here,” said Aguilar.
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He said he is mostly worried about his employees being out of work following Hurricane Milton.
“I’ve been able to give them work at other restaurants that are in the area temporarily, but it’s mostly all about my employees, which is what I’m mostly worried about getting this fixed,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar said they have looked into getting a disaster loan from the SBA.
But after an increased demand for disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, the SBA said it has exhausted funds for its disaster loan program.
“Just hoping to be able to find another opportunity to open another Fruta Mix,” Aguilar said.
According to the SBA, the agency has seen around 37,000 applications submitted for relief for Hurricane Helene.
The agency said it has already made over 700 Helene-related loan offers coming out to around $48 million.
For Hurricane Milton, the SBA said it has already received over 12,000 applications.
The SBA said until Congress appropriates additional funding, the agency is pausing new loan offers. But, SBA said it will still support existing borrowers and applicants who have already received offers.
The agency is also encouraging people to still apply given assurances from congressional leaders that additional funding will be provided when Congress returns in November.
For more information on disaster loans from the SBA, click here.
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