WASHINGTON (Small Business Administration) – Low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to Mississippi small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofit organizations affected by the blue-green algae on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi from June. 22 through Oct. 5, 2019.
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. Phil Bryant on Jan. 7, 2020, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties and the adjacent counties of George, Pearl River and Stone in Mississippi; Mobile in Alabama; and St. Tammany Parish in Louisiana.
“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Mississippi with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist small businesses with federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans,” said Carranza. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”
SBA’s Customer Service Representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.
The Centers are located in the following communities and are open as indicated:
| Opens: Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Hours: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed: Sundays Last Day: Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
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| Hancock County
Storm Prep Building Conference Room 18355 Highway 603 Kiln, MS 39556 |
Harrison County
County Office Complex, Sand Beach Office 842 Commerce St. Gulfport, MS 39507 |
| Jackson County
2915 Canty Street, Main Entrance Lobby Pascagoula, MS 39567 |
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“The SBA can help affected small businesses and nonprofit organizations overcome their economic losses by offering working capital loans, but the help cannot start until they submit an SBA disaster loan application to us,” said SBA’s Mississippi District Director Janita Stewart.
Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million. The SBA offers economic injury loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. The rates on theses loan are 4 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years.
Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.
Businesses may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing [email protected]. Loan applications can also be downloaded 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.
The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 16, 2020.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.