Virtual Business Recovery Center to Open Friday, Nov. 22
“As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, 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.”
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 Angleton, Galveston, Houston and New Caney Business Recovery Centers at close of business on Thursday, Nov. 21. “SBA opened the centers to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by Hurricane Beryl that occurred July 5-9,” said Sánchez.
Until the centers close, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application. No appointment is necessary.
Even though the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until April 14, 2025, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
| BRAZORIA COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
116 S. Velasco St., Ste. C,
Angleton, TX 77515 Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 | GALVESTON COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Marmo Plaza
Vision Galveston
2121 Market St. Galveston, TX 77550 Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closes 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 |
| HARRIS COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)
Marilyn Davies College of Business
*Parking is underneath the Marilyn Davies College of Business - Shea Street building
320 N. Main St.
Rm. B106, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002 Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closes 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 | HARRIS COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Trini Mendenhall Community Center
1414 Wirt Rd. Houston, TX 77055 Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closes 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
East Montgomery County Improvement District
21575 US Hwy. 59, Ste. 201
New Caney, TX 77357 Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 |
Following the BRC closures, SBA will open a virtual Business Recovery Center on Friday, Nov. 22, and will continue to be available to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual with their electronic loan application.
| Virtual Business Recovery Center
Mondays – Fridays
8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
[email protected]
(916) 932-8898 Opens at 8 a.m., Friday Nov. 22 Closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving Holiday |
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 to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “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.”
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
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.
On October 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.
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 [email protected] 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.
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