The Austin County area has a chance to receive some financial help from the U.S. Small Business Administration in the form of low-interest federal disaster loans. For those affected by the storm last month, please read the details below:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Texas businesses and residents affected by severe storms that occurred May 21-23, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Administrator Linda McMahon announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Greg Abbott on June 16, 2017.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Waller, Washington and Wharton counties.
“SBA is strongly committed to providing Texas 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 McMahon. “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 Houston District Director Tim Jeffcoat. “Beginning Wednesday, June 21, 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,” Jeffcoat continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.
|
AUSTIN COUNTY Disaster Loan Outreach Center American Legion 1630 Meyer St. Sealy, TX 77474 Opens 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closes 12 p.m. Friday, June 30 |
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 to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury 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 3.215 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.938 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 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 [email protected]. 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 return applications for property damage is Aug. 21, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 20, 2018.
TX 15179 Fact Sheet by Austin County News Online on Scribd
TX 15179 Spanish Fact Sheet by Austin County News Online on Scribd
Three Ways to Apply Agency (APPROVED 01.29.15) by Austin County News Online on Scribd
Three Ways to Apply Agency-no Location SPANISH (APPROVED 12.13.13) by Austin County News Online on Scribd