Disaster press release OR 20187-02

SBA to Open Business Recovery Centers in Lane and Multnomah Counties to Help Small Businesses Impacted by the Winter Ice Storm

SACRAMENTO, Calif.The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the opening of SBA Business Recovery Centers in Lane and Multnomah counties to help businesses impacted by the winter ice storm that occurred Jan. 12 - 20. The centers will open beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20, as indicated below.

“Due to the economic losses inflicted on Oregon small businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet with each business owner to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their application,” he added. No appointment is necessary. The centers in will be open as indicated below.

LANE COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Lane County Public Service Building
125 E Eighth Ave.
Eugene, OR  97401

Open Tuesday, Feb. 20, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Open Monday & Tuesday, Feb. 26 & 27 
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Prosper Portland
Commissioner Room, First Floor
220 NW Second Ave.
Portland, OR  97209

Opens Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 12:00 p.m. 
Mondays – Fridays, 8:00 a.m. ‑5:00 p.m.

LANE COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Springfield City Hall
Library meeting room
225 Fifth St.
Springfield, OR  97477

Open Wednesday, Feb. 21 & Feb. 28
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

LANE COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Cottage Grove Community Center
Public Library
700 E Gibbs Ave.
Cottage Grove, OR  97424

Open Thursday, Feb. 22 & Feb. 29
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

LANE COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Cottage Grove Community Center
Shepherd Room
700 E Gibbs Ave.
Cottage Grove, OR 97424

Open Friday, Feb. 23 & March 1
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For business owners who are unable to visit the Business Recovery Center, the following Virtual Business Recovery Center is also available to assist small businesses with their applications.

VIRTUAL BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTER
Mondays – Fridays
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(916) 735-1531

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available in Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon; and Clark, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties in Washington.

Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for small businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. 

Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

Applicants can also apply or obtain 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 deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 8, 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.

Related programs: Disaster

Media contacts

Mark W. Randle