SBA Offers Rural Disaster Assistance to Tennessee Businesses and Residents Affected by Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding

WASHINGTON - Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Tennessee businesses and residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that occurred on May 8-9, announced Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA acted under the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act to declare a disaster in response to a request received from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's authorized representative Patrick Sheehan, on Sept. 30.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Cannon, Giles, Maury, Sumner, and Warren counties in Tennessee.

"SBA's mission-driven team stands ready to help Tennessee's small businesses and residents impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding," said Administrator Guzman. "We're committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild."

Businesses of all sizes 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.

Disaster 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, including personal vehicles.

SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with cost of improvement to protect, prevent or minimize future disaster damage. Approved loan may qualify 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.

"SBA's disaster loan program offers an important advantage-the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage," said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. "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 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. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

To apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information visit 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.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 3, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 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.