Those impacted by the heavy rain and high winds from the January 9-10 storm can now apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration, local legislators have announced. To assist residents in obtaining the funds, in-person loan Outreach Centers will be open until March 29 at the Mastic Recreation Center and Babylon Town Hall.
According to Senator Dean Murray, loan applications are available online and can be submitted through My SBA Loan Portal at www.lending.sba.gov. Applicants can also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The loans are available for residents and businesses in both Suffolk and Nassau counties.
“Back in January, a statewide multi-hazard weather event crossed much of our state, resulting in significant damage to businesses and homes,” Murray said. “The event dropped up to 3.5 inches of rainfall on Long Island and coincided with high tides causing severe flooding.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul activated the Emergency Operations Center in Albany to monitor the storm and coordinate the state’s response. Both Suffolk and Nassau counties issued States of Emergency during the severe weather event, noted county Executive Edward Romaine. Following the storm, personnel from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Small Business Administration and Suffolk County conducted a thorough assessment of local damages.
“It was quite a storm,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “Mastic Beach and other coastal communities had flooding as bad as when Hurricane Sandy hit. Federal assistance through the SBA is much appreciated.”
“New Yorkers and their businesses should not have to carry the burden of storm recovery alone, and these loans will go a long way in helping those impacted build back better and stronger,” Gov. Hochul said. “Long Islanders impacted by January’s winds should be sure to apply and take advantage of the additional financial support.”
Applicants, including businesses, homeowners, renters, and private, nonprofit organizations in declared disaster areas can apply for the following:
Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
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| January flooding Senator Dean Murray |
Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
The Disaster Loan Outreach Centers at 15 Herkimer Street in Mastic will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Babylon location has the same hours. Both will be open until March 29.
Completed applications can also be mailed to the 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 May 10, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is December 11, 2024, the officials said.