Businesses and non-profits in seven North Carolina counties that suffered from severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds on April 12-13 are eligible to apply for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Businesses and non-profits in Anson, Jackson, Macon, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland and Transylvania counties are eligible to apply now for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Applications will be received online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ and virtual customer support representatives are available to assist applicants with completing the online application.
In accordance with health precautions for the coronavirus (COVID-19), the SBA will not establish a field office to assist applicants. However, SBA will continue to provide customer service and conduct outreach virtually with webinars, Skype calls, phone assistance and step-by-step application assistance. As a result, SBA has opened a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center/Business Recovery Center (VDLOC/VBRC) to help survivors apply online.
Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center/Business Recovery Center (VDLOC/VBRC)
Open: Monday – Friday
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed: Saturdays and Sundays
FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
Phone: 470-363-5611, 202-803-3307, 404-909-1549 and 470-363-5936
Businesses should contact the Disaster Assistance Professionals at 470-363-5611, 202-803-3307, 404-909-1549 and 470-363-5936 to schedule an appointment for immediate one-on-one assistance in completing their applications.
Requests for SBA disaster loan program information may be obtained by emailing FOCE-Help@sba.gov. The SBA will conduct extensive outreach to ensure that all impacted by the disaster are afforded the opportunity to seek assistance.
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.
Interest rates are as low as 3.75 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations and 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.
Businesses may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 30, 2020. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 1, 2021.
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