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Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Berks County after intense storms produced flash flooding between July 11 and 12, 2019.
“Low-interest loans are a significant part of helping people and businesses recover from flooding,” said Gov. Wolf. “We appreciate that the SBA granted our request.”
Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the flooding in Berks County, as well as neighboring counties Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery and Schuylkill may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.
Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.
The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to assist anyone who wishes to apply for a loan. The DLOC will be open at the following location and times:
Salvation Army
409 S. Reading Ave.
Boyertown, PA 19512
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 7 & 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed: Sunday, Sept. 8 & 15
Closing: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m.
SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.
Individuals and businesses unable to visit the centers in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disasterOpens In A New Window. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/elaOpens In A New Window. Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or 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 Nov. 4, 2019. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is June 3, 2020.
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