Gov. Crist starts loan program

Gov. Charlie Crist has provided small business owners along the Gulf Coast additional means for coping with short-term cash flow issues caused by the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Crist has allocated $5 million in state funds to finance Florida's Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program. The program will lend businesses with fewer than 100 employees up to $25,000 without interest to keep operations moving.

The program has been used in the past to help businesses deal with natural disasters, such as major hurricanes and floods.

Applications will be made available to businesses starting June 14. Interested companies should visit http://www.ffcfc.com, or call the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development at (850) 487-2568.