New SBA Business Recovery Center Launches with SCORE and SBDC

ATLANTA -U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has enhanced the services of the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Hillsborough County to a full Business Recovery and Assessment Center (BRAC) in collaboration with SCORE and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to provide vital resources in support of business owners affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.

The Center will function as a one-stop-shop to conveniently help business communities get the technical and financial assistance needed to recover and help them become more resilient to future disasters. By following the whole of community approach, the Center will provide SBA disaster loan programs, and through our partners SCORE and SBDC, business mentoring, coaching and funding strategies helping businesses from start to finish.

"We meet the business community where they are by helping them navigate our extensive resource partner network," said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. "Business owners can connect with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs."

SBA's Customer Service Representatives are available at the centers to assist business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application's status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Business Recovery Center in advance. The centers will operate as indicated below.

Business Recovery & Assessment Center (BRAC) Hillsborough County

Entrepreneurs Collaborative Center

2101 E Palm Ave

Tampa, FL 33605

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Pinellas County

SPC Epicenter at St. Petersburg College

13805 58th Street N, Suite 1-200

Clearwater, FL 33760

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Closed: Saturday and Sunday

Business Recovery Center (BRC)

Manatee County

Rocky Bluff Library

6750 US-301

Ellenton, FL 34222

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Closed: Sunday

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size 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. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

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

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% 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. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

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.

With the changes to FEMA's Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant.

For information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to [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.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 11, 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.

Related programs: Disaster

Email[email protected]