SBA OPENS WORKSHOP TO AID RELIEF EFFORT

JACKSON -- The Small Business Administration has opened a workshop in Jackson to help Missouri flood victims with their disaster loan applications.

The center will be in the County Administrative Building, at One Barton Square, across from the Cape County Courthouse, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

To apply for federal assistance, people must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by phone or by visiting a disaster application center.

"Loan officers can answer your questions and help you complete loan applications," said Raymond P. Chatham, director the SBA office. "We strongly encourage anyone with disaster damage to seek help as soon as possible."

The SBA can loan up to $100,000 to repair or replace a homeowner's primary residence and up to $20,000 for disaster-damaged personal property for homeowners and renters.

Businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations can borrow up to $1.5 million, with interest rates as low as four percent and terms of up to 30 years, depending upon the applicant's ability to repay the loan.

The SBA has already approved $26 million in flood recovery loans in Missouri.

FEMA will open four disaster application centers throughout the region between Aug. 20 and Aug. 27.

Centers will open:

At 321 N. Main St. in Perryville, Friday and Saturday;

At the Methodist Church in Commerce Sunday and Monday;

At the County Courthouse on Ward Avenue next Tuesday and Wednesday; and

At Schnucks, at 19 S. Kingshighway, in Cape Girardeau, Aug. 26 and 27.

The centers will be staffed with FEMA registrars who will assist those affected by the floods in filing for disaster assistance. FEMA hazard mitigation specialists who provide information to help reduce losses in future disasters, will also be on hand to help.

Representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration will also be on hand.

These centers will not have personnel from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program, crisis counseling, Internal Revenue Service or other federal, state and local programs.

Anyone who applies at one of the above centers will be referred to these services as needed.

Addition information or questions regarding individual applications also can be answered through the FEMA hotline. Applicants should have their control number available when they call.

Those wishing to apply but cannot visit the application centers can call 1-800-462-9029.