Disaster aid available to non-profit groups

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of low-interest disaster loans for select non-profit organizations impacted by Tropical Storm Lee during Sept. 1-5.

According to SBA administrator Karen Mills, these loans are available only to private non-profit organizations that provide essential government services.

As a federal disaster declaration, the SBA assistance is available in Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, as well as East Feliciana, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles and West Feliciana.

Interested PNPs should begin the process by registering with FEMA. At the time of registration, FEMA will initially determine if the PNP qualifies to immediately apply for a grant from FEMA’s PA program.

All other eligible PNPs will be referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster loan to cover property damages. If SBA cannot approve a low-interest disaster loan or meet all of the PNP’s needs, SBA may refer the PNP back to FEMA.

SBA may lend PNPs 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 help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For certain private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and applications are also available by calling (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or on the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is Dec. 27. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 30, 2012.