Businesses and residents affected by the April 20 wildfires in Brantley County can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to a May 28 announcement. The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Tax Assessors’ Office Space inside the courthouse in Nahunta, Georgia, beginning Thursday, May 28 at 12:30 p.m.
Georgia received an SBA disaster declaration for Brantley County and six contiguous counties—Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne—following a request made by Governor Brian Kemp’s authorized representative and Valarie Grooms, Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. Residents and businesses in these counties are eligible to apply for both Physical Damage disaster loans and Economic Injury disaster loans.
“I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these wildfires have been for families, homeowners, farmers, and businesses across South Georgia,” said Josh Lamb, Director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency. “The SBA loans are resources to help survivors begin the recovery process and rebuild after this disaster. I encourage everyone impacted to visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center and apply for assistance. Individuals affected by these wildfires don’t have to walk through this process alone. Help is available, and we are committed to standing alongside these communities every step of the way.”
Applicants may use SBA’s Electronic Loan Application via lending.sba.gov or contact customer service by email or phone for further assistance. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center is located at 234 Brantley Street, Suite 500 in Nahunta with hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., opening on May 28 from 12:30 p.m., with a potential close date of June 18.
The deadline to submit applications for Physical Damage disaster loans is July 27; Economic Injury applications must be returned by March 1 next year.
The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency functions as a state agency within the Office of the Governor focused on safeguarding lives and property from disasters via prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery efforts; it collaborates with local authorities statewide during emergencies while managing federal funds for recovery efforts, according to its official website.
