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SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Impacted by the Cranston Fire

Message from Small Business Administration:

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Cranston Fire

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the Cranston Fire that occurred July 25 – Aug. 15, 2018, SBA Administrator Linda McMahon announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following a request received from Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.’s designated representative, Mark S. Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, on Aug. 20, 2018.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties in California; and La Paz County in Arizona. 

“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist California’s small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of this disaster,” said Administrator McMahon.

“Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Garfield added.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 3.61 percent for small businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is offering free, personalized counseling to help affected businesses in their recovery. Businesses may contact Veronica Kusudo at (951) 781-2345 or by visiting the SBDC office, Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, 3780 Market St., Riverside, CA  92501.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.
 
The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 24, 2019.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
 
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. 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.