Disaster loans available for July 21- 22 storm damage

The U. S. Small Business Administration has declared a disaster in Allegheny County for storm and flash flood damage on July 21 and 22 that hit eastern sections of the county particularly hard.

The designation will make financial relief available to residents and business owners in the form of low- interest disaster loans, according to a news release from Allegheny County. The flooding damaged businesses in Plum and Penn Hills, among many communities.

“This is great news for the residents and businesses that were so severely impacted by the storms and flash floods in July, and we are grateful to Governor Wolf and the PA Emergency Management Agency for their work to make the SBA designation happen,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald in the release.

“This would not have happened without the collaboration between municipal officials, local emergency management coordinators and our county’s Emergency Services staff. Now we can move to connecting all of those who were impacted to the resources that SBA has available to them.”

Homeowners, renters and businesses suffering storm- related damage in Allegheny or contiguous counties may be eligible for SBA relief. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications. Information on the program can be found at https:// disasterloan. sba. gov.

Low- interest loans of up to $ 200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $ 40,000 to repair or replace personal property. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $ 2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center that will be staffed by customer service representatives to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their applications.

The center will operate at the Renton Volunteer Fire Department, 1996 Old Mine Road, Plum, from Friday through Aug. 20 on the following schedule:

• Friday, 11 a. m. to 6 p. m.

• Saturday, 10 a. m. to 2 p. m.

• Monday through next Friday next week, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.

• Aug. 17, 10 a. m. to 2 p. m.

• Aug. 19, 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.

• Aug. 20, 9 a. m. to 4 p. m.