Small business owners impacted by the April 20 wildfires in South Georgia can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to a May 29 announcement.
The assistance is available to businesses located in Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn, Pierce, Ware, and Wayne counties. The loans are intended to help businesses repair or replace damaged buildings, equipment, inventory, and other property. In addition to physical damage loans, small businesses may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans to cover operating expenses and other financial obligations if they experienced a loss of revenue due to the wildfires.
To support applicants during the process, the Small Business Administration has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Tax Assessors’ Office Space inside the courthouse at 234 Brantley Street, Suite 500 in Nahunta. SBA representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the center is expected to remain open until June 18.
The deadline for applying for physical damage disaster loans is July 27. The deadline for economic injury loan applications is March 1 of next year. Businesses and residents may also apply online using the SBA’s Electronic Loan Application portal at https://lending.sba.gov.
The National Federation of Independent Business – Georgia contributes to community and economic trends by conducting surveys on small business optimism and advocating for workforce development; it also serves as an advocate by promoting policies that deliver tax relief and regulatory transparency, engages members through events and resources, influences policy by endorsing candidates supportive of small business interests, offers resources such as free webinars and newsletters, and operates broadly within small business advocacy efforts across Georgia, according to the official website.
