The City of St. Albans is urging all residents and business owners affected by the severe storms and disasters in April 2024 to explore the disaster assistance available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has established a range of disaster loan programs to support the recovery and rebuilding efforts of those impacted by the severe weather events, including tornadoes, floods, and landslides.
Available SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
The SBA is offering two primary types of disaster loans:
- Physical Disaster Loans: These are available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace property damaged by the disaster. This includes real estate, personal property, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million.
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Aimed at helping small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private non-profit organizations meet their financial obligations that could not be met as a direct result of the disaster. These working capital loans are available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Key Information and Deadlines
- Application Deadlines: The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is July 22, 2024. The deadline for economic injury applications is February 24, 2025.
- Interest Rates and Terms: Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for non-profit organizations, and 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with loan terms up to 30 years. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
How to Apply
Applicants are encouraged not to wait for insurance settlements before applying. The SBA can issue a loan for the total loss, up to the loan limit, provided insurance proceeds are used to repay the loan. Loans come with no application fees, no obligation to accept the loan after approval, and no prepayment penalties. Additionally, no payments are required during the first 12 months, and no interest accrues during this period.
Important Downloads
Disaster Field Operations Center East – Press Release
Disaster Assistance Office Locations
Disaster Assistance Fact Sheet
Assistance and Contact Information
For personalized assistance, residents and businesses can visit the Business Recovery Center located at the Charleston Area Alliance, 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, WV. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To apply online or for more detailed information, visit the SBA’s secure site at https://lending.sba.gov. For further assistance, contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected]. For individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The City of St. Albans is committed to supporting our community’s recovery from these severe storms. We encourage all affected individuals and organizations to utilize these resources to aid in their recovery and rebuilding efforts.
