On December 12, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request to declare a disaster in Bradford, Columbia, Delaware, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Susquehanna counties after significant flood damage to homes and businesses was sustained from severe storms between August 10–15.

“Despite the devastating impact of these storms and the hard work of county and state emergency management personnel to document the damage and make the case for providing aid through the Individual Assistance program, the federal government determined that the scope of the damage didn’t warrant such aid,” said Gov. Wolf. “In lieu of funding from that program, my office immediately sought support through the SBA. Low-interest loan programs like these have proven to be important financial lifelines for families recovering from catastrophic weather events.”

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storms in Bradford, Columbia, Delaware, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Susquehanna, as well as neighboring counties Berks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montgomery, Montour, Perry, Philadelphia, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, Wayne and Wyoming may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.

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.

Outreach Centers

The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) to assist anyone who wishes to apply for a loan. Applicants from any eligible county may report to any DLOC location in order to get help.

The DLOCs will be open at the following locations and times:

-- Bradford County: Fairfield Inn By Marriott, 1248 Gold Mile Road, Towanda, PA 18848

-- Columbia County: Benton Borough Building, 590 Everett Street, Benton, PA 17814

-- Delaware County: Delaware County Emergency Services Building, 360 North Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063

-- Northumberland County: Warrior Run Area Fire Department Headquarters, 1125 Main Street, Watsontown, PA 17777

-- Schuylkill County: Port Carbon Borough Municipal Building, 301 First Street P.O. Box 71, Port Carbon, PA 17965

-- Susquehanna County: Susquehanna County Department of Public Safety County Office Building, 81 Public Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801

Dates/Hours

Opening: December 13: 11 a.m.

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

          Saturday, December 15: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed: Sunday, December 16

Closing: Thursday, December 20: 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 Feb. 11, 2019.  The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is Sept. 11, 2019.

NewsClips:

PEMA To Instruct Municipalities On How To Claim Federal Flood Relief In Lackawanna

Volunteers Work To Clean Up Flood Debris Along Otter Creek In York County

Sen. Yaw, State Agencies Tour Flood Areas In Lycoming County

[Posted: Dec. 12, 2018]

12/17/2018