SBA Opens a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Santa Rosa County, FL

ATLANTA - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that it will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Florida on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m., in the Jay Town Hall. The SBA is opening the Center to assist businesses and residents who were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on May 10.

The disaster declaration covers Baker, Columbia, Gadsen, Hamilton, Jefferson, Liberty, Santa Rosa and Suwannee counties in Florida.

"Our Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA's disposal to support business owners," said "Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. "Residents and business owners can meet in-person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery."

Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an appointment in advance. The Center will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2, and cease operations on Friday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m. The hours of operation are as follows:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Santa Rosa County

Jay Town Hall

3695 Highway 4

Jay, FL 32565

Opening: Thursday, Aug. 22, 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

Closed: Monday Sept. 2 in observance of Labor Day

Permanently Closes: Friday, Sept. 6 at 4 p.m.

Businesses 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.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

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

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent 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 are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.688% 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.

For more information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for 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 filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Oct. 7, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 6, 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 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.