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SBA Columbus County Site Opens to Assist Tornado Victims

SB Informer
Wednesday, November 22, 2006; 03:37 AM

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Disaster Loan Assistance Center (DLOC) in Columbus County to assist victims of the recent tornadoes occurring November 15 - 17, 2006.

As a result of a request of North Carolina Governor Michael Easley, SBA Administrator Steven Preston declared Columbus and neighboring counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Pender and Robeson a disaster area.

The Disaster Loan Assistance Center is located in the Community of Riegelwood, N.C.:

Columbus County

Riegelwood Baptist Church
101 Cornwallis Road (at the intersection of Highway 87 and Cornwallis
Road)
Riegelwood, NC 28456
Opened: Saturday, Nov. 18 at noon
Open: Monday - Saturday; from 9 a.m. - to 5 p.m.
Closed: Thursday, Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving

The Center will remain open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until further notice.

SBA representatives are on hand at the Center to issue loan applications, explain the process and assist individuals complete their application if needed.

"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," said Frank Skaggs, Director of Disaster Field Operations Center East.

Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, inventory, machinery and equipment. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses only, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit SBA in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is January 16, 2007. The deadline to return economic injury applications is August 17, 2007.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit our website at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.