ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the Felix Heights Community Center in Selma on Friday, March 17. FEMA formerly operated a Disaster Recovery Center at the same site. SBA’s DLOC will serve Alabama business owners, homeowners and renters affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred Jan. 12. The DLOC will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I encourage anyone who has not applied for a disaster loan to visit the center for one-on-one assistance. Our team is on the ground to help,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.
Anyone in the affected counties can apply for a disaster loan. Those who were referred to SBA by FEMA who have yet to complete their application can visit the Felix Heights Community Center for assistance. There is no cost to apply and no obligation to accept a loan. If a homeowner or renter’s loan application is denied, SBA automatically refers the applicant back to FEMA for potential additional grant consideration. SBA’s Customer Service Representatives are also available to answer questions about the disaster loan program, check an application’s status, upload documents, and assist with reconsideration requests.
The Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is open as indicated below until further notice:
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Dallas County
Felix Heights Community Center
405 Medical Center Parkway
Selma, AL 36701
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed: 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 DLOC are encouraged to wear a face mask.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 3.305 percent for businesses, 2.375 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 2.313 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
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 # 17759.
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 is March 16, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 16, 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 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.