Government Digest: Aug. 6 - Aug. 12

Counties added to SBA oil loans
LEE AND COLLIER COUNTIES — The U.S. Small Business Administration has added Lee and Collier counties to its economic injury declaration for the state of Florida as a result of the oil spill.

This makes available working capital loans to businesses to meet their financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.

The loans are available only to entities who cannot provide for their own recovery from non-government sources, as determined by the SBA.

The law limits the loans to $2 million, at 3% to 4% interest for up to 30 years. If a business is a major source of employment, SBA has the authority to waive the $2 million statutory limit.

For more information, contact SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or contact [email protected] or visit the SBA website. The loan application deadline is Feb. 14, 2011.

Fruitville Road initiative meetings
SARASOTA COUNTY — The county is sponsoring five meetings to hear from neighbors and citizens and to answer questions about the Fruitville Road initiative.

The first meeting is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, at the Church of Hope, 1560 Wendell Kent Rd., Sarasota.

Five private landowners and Sarasota County own approximately 325 acres on Fruitville Road at Exit 210 on the east side of Interstate 75.

The property owners aim to plan development in the area cohesively rather than separately. According to a county press release, “Neighborhood input at these meetings should result in changes to the 'Illustrative Plan' and contribute to development of a Regulating Plan, which may lead to a rezoning process.” Future meetings are set for Aug. 17, Aug. 31, Sept. 14 and Sept. 28. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at the same location.

Government academy enrolling
CHARLOTTE COUNTY — The county is holding new Charlotte County Government Academy classes aimed at providing residents with the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the county.

Enrollment is open to citizens with a Charlotte County address and county employees. The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 16.

The first session is scheduled to begin Sept. 1 and will last five weeks, with workshops meeting every Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., through Sept. 29. Participants must be able to commit to all five workshops.

Applications are available in the lobby of the County Administration Center in Murdock, libraries, and online at www.CharlotteCountyFL.com. For more information or to request an application mailed to you, call Katie Ranson at (941) 743-1386.

Early voting starts Aug. 9
FLORIDA — Early voting for the Aug. 24 primary starts Aug. 9. Click here to find early voting locations in each county.

MEETINGS

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The Planning Commission meets at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, for its regular meeting followed by two workshop meetings and a public hearing on map amendments. The regular meeting includes a workshop on county land development code amendments followed by workshops on land development code text amendments, fees and other administrative items.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Tourist Development Council, d/b/a Visit St. Petersburg Clearwater, will hold a bed tax workshop at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at EpiCenter, room 2-304,

13805 58th St. N., Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 464-6633.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The County Commission will hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance amending the economic development incentive program at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10 at the Administration Center, room #119, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. For more information, contact Marie Pecorella or Jo Ann VonderMuehll at (941) 743-1944.

The Tourist Development Council meets at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Visitor's Bureau Conference Room, 18501 Murdock Circle, suite 502, Port Charlotte. For more information, call Liz Parker at (941) 743-1900.

CANDIDATE FORUMS

The Business and Professional Women/Tampa Bay will hold a candidate forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at The Centre Club, 123 S. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for others. For more information, visit the BPW's website.

The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a School Board candidates' forum Thursday, Aug. 12, from 6-9 p.m. at the Pasco-Hernando Community College West Campus Conference Center, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey.

The Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and Feather Sound Country Club will host “Politics in the Park Hob Nob and Straw Poll,” a forum with state and local candidates, 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater. The supervisor of elections will conduct the straw poll. The cost for admission is $10. RSVP online or call (727) 461-0011.