SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced today that SBA will close its New Orleans Business Recovery Center at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30. “SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by Hurricane Ida that occurred Aug. 26 ‑ Sept. 3, 2021,” said Garfield. This center is open by appointment only.
To obtain an appointment, send an email to FOCWAssistance@SBA.gov with the subject line “Appointment Requested.” The center is operating out of the Advanced Technology Center located at The Beach at the University of New Orleans. The center hours are indicated below.
ORLEANS PARISH
New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce
The Beach at the University of New Orleans
Advanced Technology Center
2021 Lakeshore Drive, Third Floor
New Orleans, LA 70122
By Appointment Only
Monday - Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closes 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 30
So far, SBA has approved $1,284,862,500 in federal disaster loans for Louisiana businesses and residents. According to Garfield, SBA has approved $105,149,700 for businesses and $1,179,712,800 for residents to help rebuild and recover from this disaster.
Even though the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until May 31, 2022, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Business owners may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.
Interest rates can be as low as 2.855 percent for businesses and 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations 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, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.