JACKSON — Today,
Governor Tate Reeves announced disaster assistance for Mississippi
businesses and residents hit by the devastating Easter Sunday storms.
Working with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help
Mississippians recover from the historic storms that hit the state on
April 12, 2020, Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Jones Counties were
declared federal disaster areas to receive disaster assistance for
recovery.
"Mississippians are all too familiar with weathering storms that
come our way, but the storms on Easter Sunday were historic in their
devastation. I'm grateful for our partnership with SBA so we can help
our people get back on their feet. With this assistance, we will
rebuild. And we will emerge stronger," said Governor Tate Reeves.
Businesses and residents of Covington, Jefferson Davis, and Jones
counties can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA,
which includes both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
Additionally, small businesses and most private non-profit
organizations in adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA
Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The adjacent counties include: Forrest,
Jasper, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Perry, Simpson, Smith, and Wayne.
Businesses and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2
million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, equipment or
other assets. Homeowners in the three disaster declared counties may
borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real
estate and they are also eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to replace or
repair personal property.
Applicants can apply online by visiting the SBA’s website:
disasterloanassistance.sba.gov
The SBA has also opened a Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach
Center/Business Recovery Center to help storm victims apply online
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virtual Outreach Center is open
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Storm victims can
call 404-331-0333 and use extensions: 2122; 2123; and 2106 during these
hours to speak with a disaster assistance professional. Additional
information can also be obtained by emailing FOCE-Help@sba.gov.
The filing deadline for physical property damage applications is June
15, 2020, and the deadline for economic injury applications is January
19, 2021.
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