NewsTreasure CoastRegion Martin County

Actions

Small business owners say algae relief plans are not enough

Posted at 5:03 PM, Sep 11, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-02 09:49:07-04

Call it another bad summer at Ohana Surf Shop in Martin County.

"What's not selling is stand-up paddle boards and beach equipment," said owner Jordan Schwartz.

Over the years he has suffered a big loss.

"Tens of thousands," said Schwartz.

The United States Small Business Administration offered up low-interest loans last Friday.

"Loans get us more and more in debt," said Schwartz.

Tuesday, Senator Bill Nelson, who is up for reelection, spoke with business leaders in Port St. Lucie and talked with reporters about a plan to provide tax breaks to those small business owners.

"Use that as a tax deduction," said Nelson.

Jordan doesn't see that as relief.

"I don't think they have a grasp on what small businesses go through and the struggle we go through," said Schwartz.

Senator Nelson says the best solution is preventing algae from getting into our waterways.

"Regulate the amount of nutrients that go into public waterways," said Nelson.

The problem is that might take a while for all those projects to come to fruition.

"We're not going to be able to hang on for another five years, another 10 years for more canals to be built, more reservoirs to be built," said Schwartz.

We reached out to Governor Rick Scott's campaign for comment and have yet to hear back.