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SBA outlines disaster loan deadlines, resources for Camden County wildfire survivors
Summary
A Small Business Administration public-affairs specialist told the county commission that homeowners, renters and businesses in Camden County affected by the April wildfires can apply for federal disaster loans; physical-damage loans must be filed by July 27 and economic-injury loans by March 1 of next year.
Liliana Chet, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, told the Camden County Board of Commissioners on June 16 that federal disaster loans are available to residents and businesses affected by the Georgia wildfires.
"If your home or you know somebody in Camden County that lost their home they could apply up to half a million dollar in disaster loan with us," Chet said, and added that homeowners and renters may qualify for up to $100,000 for physical damage and businesses may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans as large as $2 million. She said the physical-damage application deadline is July 27; the economic-injury deadline is March 1 of next year.
Chet urged officials to post SBA outreach materials on county and city websites and distributed flyers containing a QR code that links to the online application. She said loans can also be started at sba.gov/disaster or by calling the SBA customer-service line (1-800-659-2955). The SBA is offering loans to private nonprofits and churches as well as small businesses and households in counties included in the declaration covering Brentley County and adjacent counties, including Camden County.
Commissioners confirmed that the materials are already on the county website and noted an informational session Chet plans to deliver in St. Marys on June 29 at 11 a.m., with a virtual presentation and Q&A to follow for business owners.
The SBA presentation emphasized repayment terms: rates may be as low as about 4% with repayment terms up to 30 years, and the first 12 months may have no interest or payment required. Chet said businesses often do not see the full economic impact for six to 10 months after a disaster and urged early outreach to affected owners.
The commission took no formal action beyond receiving the presentation and the invitation to publicize SBA resources. The SBA deadlines and application instructions provided are the immediate next steps for residents and businesses seeking federal assistance.
