SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Iowa Businesses and Residents Affected by the Severe Weather and Flooding
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Iowa businesses and residents affected by the severe weather and flooding that occurred Sept. 21 – Oct. 3, 2016, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Terry E. Branstad on Oct. 6, 2016.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy and Hardin counties.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing Iowa with the most effective and customer-focused response possible, and we will be there to provide access to federal disaster loans to help finance recovery for businesses and residents affected by the disaster,” said Contreras-Sweet. “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 businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Iowa District Director Jayne Armstrong. “Beginning at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, SBA representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Armstrong continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.
BUTLER COUNTY
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
North Butler Elementary School – Media Center
210 W South St.
Greene, IA 50636
Opens 12 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Center closes 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
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.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 12, 2016. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 11, 2017.