SBA offers disaster assistance in area

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Washington businesses and residents affected by the winter weather and flooding that occurred from Jan. 5-16, 2022, announced Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Jay Inslee on Feb. 14, 2022.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skamania, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Yakima counties in Washington.

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster,” said SBA’s Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “Beginning Thursday, Feb. 17, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application.”

Wahkiakum County residents may contact:

Beau Renfro, Coordinator

Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office

Department of Emergency Management

PO Box 65, Cathlamet, WA 98612

Office Phone: (360) 795-3242

Office Phone: (360) 465-2202 (West end)

Cell: (360) 957-3724

Office Fax: (360) 795-3145

E-mail: renfrob@co.wahkiakum.wa.us

Or from Pacific County:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

Lewis County Courthouse

351 NW North St., Room 121

Chehalis, WA 98532

Opens 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17

Mondays - Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Closes 5 p.m. Thursday, March 3

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

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

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

The deadline to apply for property damage is April 18, 2022. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 15, 2022.