Michiganders who suffered damage due recent flooding can rebuild stronger by applying for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The disaster loan program may include funding to reduce future property damage from a similar disaster.
Applicants affected by severe storms, flooding and tornadoes from June 25-26 may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, to cover the cost of improvements. Mitigation loan funding is in addition to the amount of the approved loan.
Examples of mitigation projects to prevent future flooding may include grading and runoff improvement, elevating mechanicals, utilities and service equipment, and installing flood vents, a flood alert system, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall.
Businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters that are eligible for an SBA disaster loan and do not apply before the deadline may be leaving disaster funds on the table. Property owners repairing damages that were not covered by FEMA or private insurance, find in most cases SBA disaster loans cover landscaping, decks, fencing, sheds, garages, walkways and driveways that were damaged due to the declared incident.
“Currently in Michigan, the SBA has approved 284 disaster loans in the amount of $8,626,200 for affected survivors. The SBA encourages anyone who has not applied to act now,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.
The disaster declaration covers Washtenaw and Washington counties in Michigan, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, and Oakland in Michigan.
Businesses and private non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private non-profit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property, including automobiles.
Interest rates are as low as 2.88 percent for businesses, 2 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.625 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
Businesses and individuals 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 DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be 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 Sept. 13, 2021. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 15, 2022.
To learn more about the SBA, visit www.sba.gov.
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