WASHINGTON D.C. – Ashtabula County-based small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural co-ooperatives will now have access to federal resources to offset losses as a result of torrential rains. U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making federal economic injury disaster loans available for Ashtabula County businesses that faced an economic impact as a result of the excessive rain in May and September 2011. 

“Ashtabula residents and small business owners can now access the resources to help recover from this year’s torrential rain,” Brown said. “I will continue working to ensure adequate state and federal resources are available to rebuild in the state’s largest county. These funds will help small businesses and homeowners who have been affected by this year’s flooding get back on their feet.”

Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm and nonfarm entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.   The loan amount can be up to $2 million with a 3 percent interest for non-profit organizations, 4 percent for small businesses, and terms up to 30 years, according to the SBA.  

Individuals and businesses unable to visit a Center in person may obtain information on loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET  or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the Center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 

SBA’s customer service representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the process, distribute and help individuals complete their applications.

 

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