Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare a disaster in Schuylkill County after significant flood damage to homes and businesses was sustained due to severe storms July 21-27, 2018.

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storms in Schuylkill, as well as neighboring counties Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Northumberland may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.

[Note: Similar SBA help is also available in Lancaster and York counties.  Federal pre-disaster and flood mitigation financial assistance applications from local government are also being accepted by PEMA.]

“Record-breaking storms affected large portions of the commonwealth this summer, disrupting the lives of those unfortunate enough to live in their path,” said Gov. Wolf. “Low interest loan programs like this are important financial lifelines for families embarking on the lengthy and difficult path to recovery.”

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:

-- Tremont Municipal Office, 139 Clay Street, Tremont, PA 17981

Opening:  Thursday, October 25: 11 a.m.

Days:     Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

              Saturday, October 27: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed:   Sunday, October 28

Closing:   Thursday, November 1: 4 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 sending email to: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Loan applications can also be downloaded at the SBA website. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website. 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 Dec. 24, 2018.  The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is July 23, 2019.

NewsClips:

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Flood Watch For Shore: Heavy Rain, Gale-Force Guts, Power Outages

Crable: Feds Declare Lancaster A Disaster Area After Flash Floods In August

York Flooding: Federal Aid Available

Williamsport Falls Short Of $5M Goal For Grafius Run Flood Mitigation Project

Grafius Run Flood Damage Surveys Considered Critical For Mitigation Study

Residents Question Harmar Flood Prevention Project

Lansdale Gets Look At Impact Of Stormwater

Editorial: Restructure Flood Insurance

Editorial: FEMA’s Work Must Include Understanding

Related Stories:

Gov. Wolf: Federal Flood Disaster Aid Now Available To Lancaster, York, Neighboring Counties

Applications Now Being Accepted For Federal Pre-Disaster Mitigation And Flood Mitigation Assistance From Municipalities, Counties

Gov. Wolf Criticizes FEMA Denial Of Western PA Disaster Declaration Request Appeal

[Posted: Oct. 24, 2018]

10/29/2018