In the aftermath of the tempest that wreaked havoc in Tempe last month, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering a helping hand to the storm-stricken community, as FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Danielle Haywood from the SBA explained, "The SBA is the number one lender post-disaster for private damaged property, and we are out there to make sure that people can get back onto that recovery."
The SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Center, now based on the second floor of the Tempe Public Library, comes in response to a call for assistance from Gov. Katie Hobbs and provides access to low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, and local businesses, as detailed by KTAR News. It began operations on Tuesday and will maintain a schedule that accommodates the community's needs, even adjusting for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The outreach center will be open from Mondays to Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursdays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but it will be closed Nov. 26-27 for Thanksgiving festivities.
Prospective applicants seeking financial reprieve to rebuild their lives and establishments can receive guidance from SBA customer service representatives who are on-site to explain the loan process, clarify details, and assist in the application completion. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, interested parties should bring pertinent documents and identification to ensure the process goes smoothly; additionally, appointments can be scheduled ahead of time at appointment.sba.gov to avoid possible wait times.
Businesses and nonprofits may qualify for loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged property and assets, while homeowners could secure up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence; for personal property such as clothing and appliances, the cap is set at $100,000, detailed by KTAR News. Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the SBA Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, stated, "When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover."
Residents of Tempe might still recall the harsh October storm that left a scar across the area, displacing people from their homes, spiraling the number of emergency calls from a daily average of 80 up to 170, and leaving swathes of the city without electrical power. On assessing the damage, Tempe Mayor Corey Woods declared it the most severe storm he has witnessed in over two decades and proclaimed a state of emergency to expedite the restoration process for the community.
