Charles City Disaster Recovery Center Transitions To SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Release Date: July 12, 2008
Release Number: 1763-085
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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Joseph Folsom, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Iowa office, announced today that the Charles City Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located at the Charles City Middle School, will transition to a SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2008.
SBA customer service representatives will continue to be available at the Disaster Recovery Center until it closes and then at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their application and close their approved disaster loans.
The Charles City DRC located at the Charles City Middle School, 500 North Grand Avenue, will cease operations at the close of business on Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 5 p.m. The SBA DLOC will open Monday, July 14 at 9 a.m. at the same location and operate Monday through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice.
The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the SBA opened the DRC to provide personal assistance and disaster information to individuals and businesses who suffered damage as a result of the flooding, tornadoes and severe storms that began May 25 and are continuing.
"At this stage of the recovery process, the emphasis for assistance is to meet the long-term needs of victims. We believe the transition of the Charles City Disaster Recovery Center to an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will better meet the current needs of Floyd County residents and businesses," said Folsom.
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 more than $65 million in low-interest disaster loans to Iowa residents and businesses hurt by the flooding, tornadoes and severe storms.
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 some private, non-profit organizations only, 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.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims should first call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-3362.
For additional information about SBA disaster assistance, call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or visit SBA's website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is September 29, 2008. The EIDL deadline is February 27, 2009.
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: Tuesday, 15-Jul-2008 12:15:42