SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Residents and Businesses Affected by the White Swan Fire

Good news for home owners and business affected by last February's devastating fire.

– Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to Washington residents and business owners affected by the White Swan Fire that occurred February 12 - 13, 2011, in Yakima County, announced U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Karen G. Mills.  SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster following the July 1 denial of the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Yakima County and the neighboring Washington counties of Benton, Grant, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Pierce and Skamania.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist those residents and businesses affected by the White Swan Fire with Federal disaster loans,” said Mills.  “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

“Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster,” said SBA’s Seattle District Director Nancy Porzio.  “Beginning Wednesday, July 20, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application,” Porzio continued.  The center will be open on the days and times indicated.  No appointment is necessary.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow 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 homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Applicants may apply online using 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 Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339. 

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is September 19, 2011.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 19, 2012.