SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Replaces DRC in Black Hawk County 

Release Date: August 20, 2008
Release Number: 1763-166

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Waterloo in Black Hawk County Saturday, following Friday's closing of the Disaster Recovery Center, according to Joseph Folsom, district director of the SBA's Iowa office.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, in the Pine Crest Building, 1407 Independence Ave., Waterloo, IA 50703. Thereafter, it will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday until further notice. It is closed on Sunday.

SBA offers low-interest federal disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non­profit organizations to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed by the disaster. So far, SBA has approved nearly $200 million in low-interest disaster loans to Iowa residents and businesses hurt by the flooding, tornadoes and severe storms.

The Black Hawk County Disaster Recovery Center in the same building in Waterloo closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. It opened June 10, 2008, and has served more than 3,300 persons.

The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) opened the temporary Disaster Recovery Center to provide face-to-face assistance to those affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from May 25 through Aug. 13.

SBA 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 any size and private non-profit 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 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, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. 

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to receive FEMA assistance. Persons who suffered damage should register with FEMA by calling its toll-free telephone line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585, or online anytime at www.fema.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 20-Aug-2008 09:26:05