Disaster press release LA 14667-02

LA 14667-02 SBA to Open Business Recovery Centers for Businesses Impacted by Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) and Louisiana Small Business Dev...


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

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

University of Louisiana at Monroe
University Advancement Building
3601 DeSiard St.
Monroe, LA  71209

Opens at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 23
Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH

Hammond Chamber of Commerce
400 NW Railroad Ave.
Hammond, LA  70401

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

ST. TAMMANY PARISH

Greater Covington Center
317 North Jefferson Ave.
Covington, LA  70433

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

WASHINGTON PARISH

The YMCA
411 Avenue B
Bogalusa, LA  70427

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.


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.
Related programs: Disaster

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