Gov. Rick Scott last week activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses affected by the presence of algal blooms in nearby waterways. Earlier this month, Scott directed the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to open a virtual business emergency operations center to survey businesses affected by the algal blooms in Lee, Martin, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties. After receiving more than 50 surveys from local businesses, the department recently opened an application period for loans to eligible small businesses through Aug. 31. Click here for details.