Feb-April Winter Storm Damage
Disaster Assistance Is Available
*5/15/2023 Update*
NEWS RELEASE
SBA to Open Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Sonora
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West today announced the opening of its Disaster Loan Outreach Center to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by severe winter storms, straight‑line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began Feb. 21. The center will be located at Mother Lode Job Training beginning Monday, May 15 in Sonora.
“SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application,” Garfield continued. The center will be open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.
TUOLUMNE COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Mother Lode Job Training
197 Mono Way, Suite # B
Sonora, CA 95370
Opens at 1 p.m. Monday, May 15
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
SBA 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, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.375 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The deadline to apply for property damage is June 5, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 3, 2024.
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Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0% interest. This pertains to all disaster loans approved in response to disasters declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This covers SBA disaster loans currently available for Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian. This policy change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay. Details are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. Individuals with verbal or hearing impairments may dial 7‑1‑1 to access telecommunications relay services from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, or email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. 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, 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.
For May 12th Press Release in English, Click HERE
For May 12th Press Release in Spanish, Click HERE
Disaster Field Operations Center West
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Disaster Recovery Center closed 7pm on Saturday May 6th, 2023
For those Individuals and Business affected, you will be able to continue to request assistance from FEMA by calling the 1-800-621-3362, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app on your phone. There is a registration deadline of June 5, 2023, and it is important that as an individual or business impacted, you register by that deadline.
Tuolumne County OES would like to thank our partners from FEMA, the Small Business Administration as well as the many state agencies that have provided our community members with assistance to those impacted by the recent storms that began February 21, 2023. The first ever Disaster Recovery Center was a huge success, and we are thankful for the federal and state support.
Please contact the Office of Emergency services at 209-533-6395 or email us at oes@co.tuolumne.ca.us for more information.
For April 12th Press Release Click HERE
For additional FEMA information in English, Click HERE
For additional FEMA information in Spanish, Click HERE
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On April 3rd, 2023, the President signed a major disaster declaration for the Feb/March Winter Storms. He specifically issued Individual Assistance to those homeowners or business that suffered damage or impacts in Tuolumne County.
Tuolumne County OES will be assisting in the coordination of a Disaster Resource Center that will have staff from the different programs of assistance including FEMA, American Red Cross, CA Department of Social Services, the Small Business Administration amongst others.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in Tuolumne County can now begin applying for assistance by:
Registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or
by calling 1-800-621-3362.
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Residents and businesses are also eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans as a result of President Biden’s major disaster declaration.
Please find additional information for Disaster Details (sba.gov)
