Center at Santa Clarita Sports Complex will close this week

[view:node_ad=5]On Thursday, November 15th, the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will close its Santa Clarita Disaster Loan Outreach center, currently located at the Santa Clarita Activities Center in Canyon Country.

According to the SBA, all individuals and business owners who have received an SBA application are encouraged to return it to the center before it closes.  These centers provide homeowners, renters and business owners with personalized assistance as a result of the wildfires that ripped through Santa Clarita, Agua Dulce, and Castaic in late October.  

“Low-interest Federal disaster loans from the SBA are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the wildfires,” said Bruce Thompson, Regional Administrator of the U. S. Small Business Administration.  So far, SBA has approved over $21.4 million in low-interest disaster loans for California residents and businesses.

Disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace their damaged or destroyed primary residence.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  The SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and business owners to help with the cost of making improvements that prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future. 

For small businesses only, 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 property damage.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, victims must first call FEMA at (800 621-3362.

“SBA disaster customer service representatives are still available at Disaster Loan Outreach Centers and Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the disaster area to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application. 

The Disaster Loan Outreach center in the Santa Clarita Activities center is open from 9:00am to 7:00pm, and will close its doors at 7:00pm Thursday November 15th.

SBA disaster assistance information is available by calling (800) 659-2955, or by visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is December 24, 2007.  The EIDL deadline is July 24, 2008.