Online survey asks business owners to report on Lake O impacts

FORT MYERS – Local leaders are urging business owners to fill out a surveys to assess just how bad the Lake Okeechobee fresh water releases have been for business.

The Florida Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center now has an online survey for businesses to expedite disaster relief programs for businesses. The information will be shared to state and local agencies.

The survey asks questions like “Did you lose business because of this emergency?” and “Did you have to lay off any employees?”

One local bait shop owner tells WINK News that government relief money is badly needed just to stay operating.

“I think they should be giving it out to the business owners which it affected because it almost put me out of business,” said fishing captain Harold Miller.

“For the last couple of months, 2-3 months, I have been 75% lower revenue than I was last year,” said Miller.

The survey asks businesses which types of loans they may need or if they need business counseling.

Continued on WINK news »