LA 14811-04 SBA to Open Additional Business Recovery Center in Denham Springs 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 an additional Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Denham Springs to provide a wide range of services to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters impacted by the severe storms and flooding that began Aug. 11, 2016. The center will open at 9 a.m. beginning Thursday, Aug. 25.

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing Louisiana businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters with the most effective and customer‑focused response possible,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to meet individually with specialists from the SBA and the Small Business Development Center.”

Business Recovery Center opening and location:

LIVINGSTON PARISH

Arts Council of Livingston Parish



133 N. Hummell St.


Denham Springs, LA  70726

Opens 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 25




Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.


Sundays, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

SBA continues to provide one-on-one assistance to business owners at its six other BRCs located at:

SBA representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their application

According to LSBDC State Director Rande Kessler, LSBDC consultants at the centers 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, and LSBDC Director Kessler want to ensure businesses secure the financial assistance they need to resume normal operations.  “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,” said Pierson.

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, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters 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

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.