Listen to this articleThe U.S. Small Business Administration will offer federal assistance to Long Island businesses and residents who were impacted by severe storms that brought heavy rain and high wind on Jan. 9-10, officials said.
Low-interest loans are available to aid in recovery, with applications available online and in-person outreach centers that are opening Friday, according to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
“New Yorkers and their businesses should not have to carry the burden of storm recovery alone, and these loans will go a long way in helping those impacted build back better and stronger,” Hochul said in a written statement.
“Long Islanders impacted by January’s winds should be sure to apply and take advantage of the additional financial support,” she added. “Thank you to the SBA for ensuring New Yorkers have the resources to recover from severe weather events.”
The storms dropped as much as 3.5 inches of rainfall on Long Island and coincided with high tide causing severe flooding. Both Suffolk and Nassau counties issued states of emergency. Following the event, personnel from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Small Business Administration and Suffolk County assessed the damages, according to Hochul’s office.
There are three types of loan programs available.
The Business Physical Disaster Loans are for businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities are also eligible.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loans are working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster.
Home Disaster Loans are for homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
The SBA is opening two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers on Friday, for those who want to apply in-person.
They include a location at Babylon Town Hall, 200 Sunrise Hwy in Lindenhurst. The center opens on Friday, 11 a.m. After that, the center will be open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The center is closed Saturday and Sunday.
Another location is opening at Mastic Recreation Center at 15 Herkimer Street in Mastic. The center opens on Friday, 11 a.m. After that, the center will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is closed Sunday.
Both centers are slated to close on Friday, March 29, at 4 p.m.
