Did the severe weather on January 9, 2024, cause damage to your property? The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved low-interest disaster loans for residents and businesses in the North Carolina counties of Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Iredell, and Lincoln.
Homeowners are eligible for loans up to $500,000 to repair/replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Renters are eligible for loans up to $100,000.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available for businesses that may need working capital due to the disaster, regardless of whether the business suffered physical property damage. This includes small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private non-profit organizations.
The filing deadline for physical property damage is April 1, while the deadline for economic injury applications is November 1.
To provide localized assistance, a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) has been established at Catawba County Emergency Services, 100 Government Drive, Newton, NC 28658. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For more information or to apply for assistance, visit https://sba.gov/disaster, call (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The NC Emergency Management Individual Assistance Helpline is also available at (919) 825-2378 or iarecovery@ncdps.gov.