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SBA outlines low‑interest disaster loans after April wildfires; local intake center in Nahunta open for applicants
Summary
An SBA public affairs specialist told Glynn County commissioners that homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits affected by April wildfires can apply for SBA disaster loans (physical damage and EIDL). Physical‑damage deadline is July 27; EIDL deadline is March 1 next year. A local intake center in Nahunta provides one‑on‑one application help.
A Small Business Administration public affairs specialist briefed Glynn County commissioners on federal disaster loan options available to households and businesses affected by the April wildfires.
The presenter, identified as a public affairs specialist with the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, explained the primary loan products: homeowners can apply for physical‑damage loans up to $500,000, while businesses and nonprofits may be eligible for loans up to $2 million; interest rates are described as low and repayments can extend up to 30 years. The SBA official said loan applicants receive a 12‑month period with no payments and no interest accrual.
She described a D‑Lock intake center opening at the Brantley County tax assessor's office in Nahunta (address given during the presentation) staffed weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. for one‑on‑one assistance. ‘‘We made it so easy to apply with us that you could just scan your QR code on your phone and you could go straight to the disaster assistance website,’’ she said, and encouraged commissioners to spread the word.
Deadlines: the presenter said the physical‑damage loan application deadline is July 27, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) deadline is March 1 of the next year. She said SBA can extend physical‑damage deadlines at the request of local officials and through HQ review, typically in 30–60 day increments.
Commissioners asked whether grants or other non‑loan assistance were available; the SBA official said the agency offers loans rather than grants. She added that a presidential declaration (which would unlock FEMA individual assistance) was not made because the threshold was not met; she encouraged coordination with local long‑term recovery groups, nonprofits and other federal agencies such as USDA where appropriate.
On center usage the SBA official said staff had seen roughly 25 visitors at the intake center and had about 20 pending applications. She urged local leaders to share information broadly through social media and community networks.
The SBA contact information provided: sba.gov/disaster and phone 1‑800‑659‑2955. Commissioners discussed the possibility of extending local intake hours and the SBA representative said the center could remain open at local request.
