06.26.11

Hoeven: Small Business Administration to Open Help Center in Minot

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven announced this afternoon that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will begin operations in Minot tomorrow at the Federal Disaster Center, along with FEMA, the Red Cross and other federal agencies providing services. Federal and state agencies are in the process of establishing a Federal Disaster Center in Bismarck, as well. Meanwhile, people can call and register with FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA. 

The SBA will be operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until further notice out of both the City Auditorium and Minot State University Dome to process disaster loans. The Senator is encouraging residents to take advantage of programs through all agencies early to expedite assistance.  

“We’re working hard to make programs like this available to help people not only with the flood fight, but also with the recovery,” Hoeven said. 

SBA provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. 

Through its Office of Disaster Assistance (ODA), SBA provides two kinds of low-interest, long-term loans for physical and economic damage caused by a declared disaster: personal property loans and business physical disaster loans. 

Applicants can find additional information about SBA Disaster Assistance online at http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans. If unable to reach the Disaster Center, applicants can call the SBA Business Service Center at 800-659-2955 for additional information.