Disaster press release 25-216

SBA Launches Lifeline for Rural Pennsylvania: Disaster Aid for Flood Recovery

WASHINGTON – Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Pennsylvania businesses and residents affected by Tropical Storm Debby that occurred on Aug. 8-10, announced Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA acted under the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act to declare a disaster in response to a request received from Governor Josh Shapiro.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Clearfield and Indiana counties in Pennsylvania.

“As communities across Pennsylvania continue to recover and rebuild after Tropical Storm Debby, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding," said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. "If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished."

“When disasters strike, our Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr. associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

Beginning Dec. 19, SBA customer service representatives will be available at the DLOCs to assist businesses and residents complete their disaster loan application, accept documents for existing applications, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center at appointment.sba.gov. The DLOCs will operate as indicated below until further notice.

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) 
Clearfield County

Clearfield County Emergency Management Agency

911 Leonard Street

Clearfield, PA 16830

Opening:   Thursday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hours:         Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                      Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed:        Sunday

Close: Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 in observance of Holidays

Permanently Closes:  Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Richmond County  

CSRA Regional Commission

3626 Walton Way Ext , Suite 1  

Augusta, GA 30909

Hours:         Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                     Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed:        Sunda

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) 
Indiana County

Indiana County Emergency Management Agency

85 Haven Drive

Indiana, PA 15701

Opening:    Thursday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hours:          Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                       Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Closed:         Sunday

Close: Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 in observance of Holidays

Permanently Closes:  Saturday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Richmond County  

CSRA Regional Commission

3626 Walton Way Ext , Suite 1  

Augusta, GA 30909

Hours:         Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                     Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed:        Sunday

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace 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 of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Sánchez. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize future disaster damage. Approved loans may qualify for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

On Oct. 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit 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 property damage is Feb. 11, 2025. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Sept. 15, 2025.

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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

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Mark Ihenacho