Disaster press release 23-269, FL 17644/17645

SBA Business Recovery Center in Lee County, Fla., Will Open an Hour Later Beginning Monday, March 6

ATLANTA – The  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a change in hours at its Lee County Business Recovery Center at the Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral. Beginning Monday, March 6, the center will operate Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., instead of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Florida business owners and residents affected by Hurricane Ian can meet one-one-one with SBA Customer Service representatives at the center to check the status of their disaster loan application, craft a reconsideration request, upload documents, and more.  

SBA’s Lee County BRC will operate as indicated below:  

SBA Business Recovery Center

Lee County

Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral

360 Santa Barbara Blvd. S.

Cape Coral, FL 33991

Hours:    Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed:   Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. All visitors to the BRCs are encouraged to wear a face mask.  

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/  and should apply under SBA declaration # 17644.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from 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.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage was Jan. 12, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration 

Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0 percent interest.  This pertains to all disaster loans approved in response to disasters declared on or after Sept. 21, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023. This policy change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay. Details are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Individuals with verbal or hearing impairments may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, or email: DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. 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. 

Related programs: Disaster