Business owners and residents affected by severe storms in late April can now receive assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA) at a disaster loan outreach center located in Blair. Marielle Alipio, an SBA representative from the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, emphasized the importance of providing access to disaster loan resources for all Nebraska residents impacted by the storms.
The SBA offers three types of disaster loans, each with a 12-month interest-free period and low interest rates. Residents of Douglas and Washington Counties are eligible for business physical disaster loans and home disaster loans to replace damaged property. Business physical disaster loans are available to businesses of any size and non-profit organizations like churches and private universities.
Nebraskans from Burt, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, and Washington counties could qualify for economic injury disaster loans to help small businesses meet financial obligations affected by the storms. The SBA also provides an additional 20% of the approved loan amount for hazard mitigation services to protect properties from future damage.
The deadline for physical damage loan applications is July 15, while economic injury loan applications will be accepted until February 3, 2025. The SBA remains committed to providing face-to-face assistance through the outreach center to answer any questions and support Nebraska residents in their recovery efforts.
