The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Washington Small Business Development Center announced the opening of an SBA Business Recovery Center in Spokane on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the wildfires that occurred Aug. 18 – 25, 2023.
“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses inflicted on Washington businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge. The center will open until 5:00 PM, April 18 as indicated below.
| Spokane County Business Recovery Center Washington SBDC at Spokane 4420 E. Eighth Ave. Spokane Valley, WA 99212 Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
SBA representatives will also provide help to business owners and residents at disaster recovery centers when they are opened in the impacted area.
In addition, applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Find more information about this disaster declaration at lending.sba.gov
The deadline to apply for property damage is April 20. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 15.
