Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced that SBA has approved more than $5 million in federal disaster loans for California businesses and residents impacted by civil unrest that began May 26, 2020. According to Garfield, SBA has approved $4,394,300 for businesses and $679,700 for residents to help rebuild and recover from this disaster.
Disaster loans are available in Alameda, Contra Costa, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Stanislaus and Ventura counties. The interest rate is 3 percent for businesses and 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to submit an Economic Injury Disaster Loan application is March 17, 2021.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Garfield said, “Although the deadline to apply for property damage loans has expired, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may continue to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business or nonprofit organization suffered any property damage.”
Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As a go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
