ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today it will extend the closing date for the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in East Providence to Jan. 26. SBA opened the Center to assist Rhode Island businesses affected by the Washington Bridge closure on Dec. 11, 2023. The SBA is also reminding businesses that the Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day National Holiday.
The Rhode Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an SBA technical assistance partner, is collaborating with the SBA to provide business counseling services at the BRC. Business advisors from the Rhode Island SBDC, will be available on Thursdays and Fridays throughout the month of January to assist small business owners with any problems they are experiencing with the bridge closure or other issues that are impacting their profitability.
All services are provided at no cost to business owners. Those who are unable to visit the Recovery Center in person can register for SBDC assistance through this link: RISBDC Business Advising Registration, and a business advisor will contact them within 24 hours.
Rhode Island SBDC advisors will be at the BRC at the following times: Thursday, Jan. 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, Jan. 19, 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Friday, Jan. 26, 9 a.m. to noon.
The SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be available at the BRC to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help business owners complete their applications. The BRC address and hours of operation are as follows:
SBA Business Recovery Center (BRC)
Providence County
Weaver Library- East Providence Public Library
41 Grove Avenue
East Providence, RI 02914
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed: Sundays
Holiday: Closed Monday, Jan. 15, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 9 a.m.
Close: Closing permanently on January 26, 2024, at 4 p.m.
Applicants for disaster loans may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. 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. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return economic injury applications is Sept. 16, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
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, 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.