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Federal Small Business Assistance Disaster Loan Center Opens in Los Angeles for Winter Storm Victims
The recent historic winter storms that hit Los Angeles have left many businesses and individuals struggling to recover from the damage. In response to this, federal officials have opened a Small Business Assistance Disaster Loan Center to provide much-needed support to those affected by the severe weather.
The center, located in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, will be open through June 5 to assist businesses and individuals impacted by storms, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred from Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, 2024. The deadline to apply for property damage is July 16, while the deadline to apply for economic injury is Feb. 18, 2025.
Residents of L.A. County can visit the center in person for assistance, or they can apply online at SBA.gov/disaster. Additionally, applicants can call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on disaster assistance. People with hearing or speech disabilities can dial 7-1-1 for telecommunications relay services.
Mayor Karen Bass has encouraged businesses and individuals impacted by the storms to participate in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center. Businesses and private nonprofit organizations can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged assets, while homeowners can receive up to $500,000 for real estate repairs.
In February, the city of Los Angeles opened Local Assistance Centers to provide information and services to those affected by the storms. These centers served as a valuable resource for homeowners, renters, and business owners seeking assistance from government agencies and local nonprofits.
The opening of the Small Business Assistance Disaster Loan Center is a crucial step in helping the community recover from the devastating winter storms. With the support of federal officials and the SBA, businesses and individuals in Los Angeles can begin the process of rebuilding and moving forward from this natural disaster.
