U. S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills announced that low-interest federal disaster loans are now available for residents and business owners affected by the severe weather and flooding that struck Lafourche Parish from December 10 through December18, 2009. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request received from Governor Bobby Jindal on January 11.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Lafourche Parish and the neighboring parishes of Assumption, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne.
"The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Louisiana residents and businesses with federal disaster loans,” said Mills. "Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
"Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said Michael W. Ricks, SBA's Louisiana District Director. "Beginning Friday, January 15 at 8 am, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Ricks continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. Noappointment is necessary.
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MATHEWS
Mathews Government Complex
(Old Wal-Mart Building)
4876 Highway 1
Mathews, LA 70375
Mondays through Fridays, 8 am to 4 pm
OpensFriday, January 15 at 8 am
Closed Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Closes Thursday, February 4 at 4 pm
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Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLassistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Interest rates can be as low as 2.562 percent for homeowners and 4 percent for business with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659‑2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800)877‑8339. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is March 15, 2010. The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 14, 2010.
For more information visit SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov.
SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841
