SBA opens Business Recovery Center in Alabama for businesses affected by Hurricane Sally

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Posted 10/7/20

 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Gulf Shores Oct. 2, to help businesses impacted by Hurricane Sally.  SBA …

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SBA opens Business Recovery Center in Alabama for businesses affected by Hurricane Sally

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 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Gulf Shores Oct. 2, to help businesses impacted by Hurricane Sally.  SBA representatives at the Center can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application.

 “The SBA is committed to the Alabama small business community’s economic recovery. We want area businesses to have a place where they can meet in person with SBA representatives and find out how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover,” said the SBA’s Alabama District Director, Tom Todt.

In accordance with precautions for COVID-19, the SBA established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public.  Visitors to the BRC are encouraged to wear a face mask.  The Center is located at the Gulf Shores Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Drive, Gulf Shores and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Center will operate until further notice.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.  Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase 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 caused by a similar disaster.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans 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.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free help line at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 19, 2020. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 21, 2021.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. 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.