SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, announced today that SBA will close its Raceland Portable Loan Outreach Center at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 . “SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by the severe or extreme drought that occurred Sept. 19 - Dec. 5, 2023,” said Sánchez.
Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary.
LAFOURCHE PARISH
Portable Loan Outreach Center
Lafourche Parish Government Mathews Complex
Parking Lot
4876 Highway 1
Raceland, LA 70394
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closes 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1
“SBA representatives will also continue to be available at the following Business Recovery Centers to meet with businesses,” Sánchez continued. The centers are open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.
ACADIA PARISH
Business Recovery Center
Former Wells Fargo Bank Location
10 N. Parkerson Ave.
Crowley, LA 70526
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
JEFFERSON PARISH
Business Recovery Center
JEDCO Conference Center
701A Churchill Pkwy.
Avondale, LA 70094
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
For business owners who are unable to visit the Business Recovery Centers, or the Portable Loan Outreach Center, the following Virtual Business Recovery Center is also available to assist small businesses with their applications.
VIRTUAL BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTER
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(916) 932-8925
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.
The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in all 64 Louisiana parishes along with Ashley, Chicot, Columbia, Lafayette, Miller, and Union counties in Arkansas; Adams, Amite, Claiborne, Hancock, Harrison, Issaquena, Jefferson, Marion, Pearl River, Pike, Walthall, Warren and Wilkinson counties in Mississippi; Cass, Harrison, Jefferson, Marion, Newton, Orange, Panola, Sabine and Shelby counties in Texas.
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 2.375 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 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 deadline to apply for economic injury is December 23.
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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.
Disaster press release
LA 20232-05