The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida to offset economic losses caused by caused by drought beginning April 15.

The disaster declaration covers the primary counties of Broward and Collier, and the adjacent counties of Hendry, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach.

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.62% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

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Five ensembles and 11 individual students from the Frost School of Music, the University of Miami’s elite music school, were recognized with a prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award. The DownBeat Student Music Awards, founded in 1976, are considered to be one of the most visible and prestigious honors in the world of jazz. As part of the annual competition, college, high school, and middle school students record their jazz performances and submit their pieces for judging by professional musicians and educators from across the country.

2025 Frost School of Music winners include: 

• Guitarist Kevin Venier was honored three times as a Graduate Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist, a Graduate Blues/Pop/Rock Group as part of his Fusion Experience, and as an Undergraduate Small Jazz Combo for his trio.
• Graduate student Dan Van Zeeland won two awards for Original Composition Small Ensemble with his composition “Ralph” and for Jazz Arrangement – Studio Orchestra for his arrangement of “Frevo.”
• Frost School faculty mentor Steve Rucker was recognized for his work with the Frost Fusion Ensemble, which won the Graduate Blues/Pop/Rock Group Performance honor, and the Frost Funk Ensemble, which won the Undergraduate Blues/Pop/Rock Group Performance award.

You can view DownBeat’s special issue celebrating the Student Music Award winners HERE.

Panter, Panter & Sampedro (PPS) is proud to announce that it has awarded Anabelle Garcia of Miami Killian Senior High School as the 2025 recipient of the Lorraine Silverstein Law Studies Scholarship. The scholarship was presented to Garcia during the Miami Killian Senior High School Awards Ceremony on May 1 in the in the Killian Performing Arts Center (KPAC).

“Lorraine Silverstein was a unique person and a stalwart in the field of education. She worked tirelessly preparing her students in whatever the subject. Law was no exception.” said Mitch Panter, managing partner of Panter, Panter & Sampedro during the award ceremony. “This year’s recipient of the Lorraine Silverstein Award is a young lady who distinguished herself as an exceptional ILSA student almost immediately upon her arrival at Killian. She is a problem solver who leads by example. Her personality is infectious! As a sophomore, her debating skills began to develop depth and focus. During this time, she has also been a high performing student while also participating in many clubs and other activities.”

Garcia was honored with the scholarship after demonstrating her strong commitment to the International Law Studies Academy (ILSA). Although she was unable to join the program as a freshman, she completed the necessary coursework on her own during the summer, achieving a 4.0 GPA. She has distinguished herself as an attorney in the Teen Court Program and as a leader in this year’s Mock Trial Program. She is a valued member of the Law Honor Society, a cheerleader, a Class Ambassador, and regularly volunteers after school.

“Receiving that award and being recognized for one of the things I’m truly passionate about—law—really urged me to look at what I want to do (or rather what I want to continue doing) with my life,” said Garcia. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given by you and Mr. Andrews by taking this course, and I am inspired by you, your work and your dedication to your craft.”

For more information on PPS, please visit panterlaw.com or call (305) 662-6178.