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 five Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began March 8, 2016. The centers will open beginning Wednesday, March 23.
  
  
  “Due to the severe property damage and economic loss 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 centers 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 openings and locations:
| 
 BOSSIER PARISH 
 Knights of Columbus 5400 E. Texas St. Bossier City, LA 71111        Mondays – Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Thursdays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | 
 OUACHITA PARISH 
 University of Louisiana at Monroe University Advancement Building 3601 DeSiard St. Monroe, LA 71209        Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | 
| 
 TANGIPAHOA PARISH 
 Hammond Chamber of Commerce 400 NW Railroad Ave. Hammond, LA 70401        Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.        | 
 ST. TAMMANY PARISH 
 Greater Covington Center 317 North Jefferson Ave. Covington, LA 70433        Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.        | 
| 
 WASHINGTON PARISH 
 The YMCA 411 Avenue B Bogalusa, LA 70427        Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 
  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” Ricks said.
  
  
  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, SBA District Director Michael Ricks, LSBDC State Director Rande Kessler and other regional economic development partners want to ensure impacted businesses secure the financial assistance they need to resume normal operations. “LED spearheaded this partnership with SBA, our Small Business Development Centers and our regional economic development partners,” said LED 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.
 
  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 five Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began March 8, 2016. The centers will open beginning Wednesday, March 23.
 
 
 “Due to the severe property damage and economic loss 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 centers 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.
 SACRAMENTO, Calif.
Business Recovery Center openings and locations:
BOSSIER PARISH
BOSSIER PARISH
 Knights of Columbus
5400 E. Texas St.
Bossier City, LA 71111
 
  Opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 
 Opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 Mondays – Tuesdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Thursdays - Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
OUACHITA PARISH
OUACHITA PARISH
 University of Louisiana at Monroe
University Advancement Building
3601 DeSiard St.
Monroe, LA 71209
 
  Opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 
 Opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
TANGIPAHOA PARISH
TANGIPAHOA PARISH
 Hammond Chamber of Commerce
400 NW Railroad Ave.
Hammond, LA 70401
 
  Opens at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 
 Opens at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
 
  
   Center will not be open Friday, March 25
  
 
 
  Center will not be open Friday, March 25
 
ST. TAMMANY PARISH
ST. TAMMANY PARISH
 Greater Covington Center
317 North Jefferson Ave.
Covington, LA 70433
 
  Opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 
 Opens at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
 Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 
  
   Center will not be open Friday, March 25
  
 
 
  Center will not be open Friday, March 25
 
WASHINGTON PARISH
WASHINGTON PARISH
 The YMCA
411 Avenue B
Bogalusa, LA 70427
 
  Opens at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 24
 
 Opens at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 24
 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 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” Ricks said.
 
 
 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, SBA District Director Michael Ricks, LSBDC State Director Rande Kessler and other regional economic development partners want to ensure impacted businesses secure the financial assistance they need to resume normal operations. “LED spearheaded this partnership with SBA, our Small Business Development Centers and our regional economic development partners,” said LED 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.
