Government Digest: Feb. 11

Disaster loans for businesses

ATLANTA — Federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private non-profit organizations as a result of cold weather last Nov. 5 through Dec. 17. The Small Business Administration's disaster declaration includes Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA's website at www.sba.gov. Those affected by the disaster may apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than Sept. 26, 2011.

Community input via wiki government

SARASOTA COUNTY — Citizens may comment on proposed commercial redevelopment regulations online from Feb. 7 to March 4. The new “wiki” method for getting public input allows anyone to comment on county proposals without attending a public meeting.

The online public policy website enables citizens to revise and make comments to proposed ordinances, regulations and policies. According to a county press release, “The wiki will make it easier for the community to collaborate and inform the Commissioners about policies and regulations they would like to see adopted.”

It will be available online at http://wike.scgov.net. After it's closed, county staff will prepare a summary report of the wiki content for the commission. Commissioners will be able to view the wiki while it's in progress, but will not participate in it.

MEETINGS

MANATEE COUNTY

The Tourist Development Council will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in the county commission chambers, first floor, 1301 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

The South County Redevelopment Agency will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Harllee Full Service Family Center 6423 9th St. E., Bradenton.

The Manatee County Port Authority will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Port Intermodal Center, 1905 Intermodal Circle, Palmetto. For more information, call Teresa Daugherty at (941) 722-6621.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on county comprehensive plan amendments at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at County Center, 18th floor, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. For more information, call (813) 272-5940.

COLLIER COUNTY

The Community Redevelopment Agency and the Enterprise Zone Development Agency boards will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at Southwest Florida Works, 750 South 5th St., Immokalee.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

The Industrial Development Authority will meet at noon Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the SunTrust Bank building, 18501 Murdock Circle, suite 502, Port Charlotte. For more information, call Kathy Knee at (941) 627-3023.

Charlotte County is holding a series of public planning workshops called charrettes. The next public meetings will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, and March 24, at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. The goal of the project is the development of the citizen master's plan for the medical district area. For more information, contact Jim Fendrick at (941) 764-4920.

PINELLAS COUNTY

The Pinellas Planning Council will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the 5th floor assembly room, Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater. For more information, call (727) 464-8250.

PASCO COUNTY

The insurance committee will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, in the county administrator's conference room, suite 330, 7530 Little Rd., New Port Richey.