LA 14811-02 SBA to Open Business Recovery Center in Walker to Help Businesses Impacted by Severe Storms and Flooding

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

– The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) and Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (LSBDCs) today announced the opening of the Walker Business Recovery Center to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding that began Aug. 11, 2016. The center will open at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses these storms and floods inflicted on businesses in Louisiana, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said SBA’s Louisiana District Director Michael Ricks. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. Specialists from SBA and LSBDC will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge.

Business Recovery Center:

According to LSBDC State Director Rande Kessler, LSBDC consultants at the center will provide counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business economic injury, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections and most importantly, a review of all options to ensure each business makes decisions that are appropriate for its situation. “They will also provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help,” Kessler continued.

LED Secretary Don Pierson, Director Ricks and Director Kessler want to ensure impacted businesses secure the financial assistance they need to resume normal operations. “LED worked in partnership with SBA and our LSBDCs,” said Secretary Pierson. “This highly trained and experienced team of consultants will be available to provide business consulting services designed to help these business owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future,” he said.

Businesses of any size 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. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

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 (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Business owners may also apply online using SBA’s secure website at

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

or get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Louisiana. 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

http://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.