SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Washington Small Businesses Economically Impacted by December Snowstorms

Sacramento, CA – The Acting Administrator of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), today announced that the SBA is making low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses economically impacted by snowstorms in Washington that occurred from December 12, 2008 through January 5, 2009.

The declaration covers all counties in Washington and neighboring counties in Idaho and Oregon.

SBA’s disaster declaration immediately makes these low-interest disaster loans available to help small businesses and most private, non-profit organizations meet financial needs caused by the disaster.

“The U.S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist Washington’s small businesses with federal disaster loans,” said Acting Administrator Darryl Hairston. “Getting our businesses up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Hairston’s action responded to a January 28 request from Governor Christine Gregoire. Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center - West, said SBA acted under its own authority to declare this disaster. Judd emphasized, “This disaster declaration is a separate event from President Obama’s January 30 declaration for the severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred from January 6 through January 16 in eight Washington counties.”

SBA is offering working capital loans of up to $2 million at an interest rate of 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. “These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. These loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses affected by the snowstorms to help overcome the temporary financial impacts they are experiencing,” said Judd.

“Due to the economic loss the December snow storms caused small businesses in Washington, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Judd. “SBA is opening nine Disaster Loan Outreach Centers where SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. “We can answer your questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and accept your completed application,” he said. The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers will be open at the following locations on the days and times indicated.


Clark County
Columbia River EDC
(located in the Bank of America Finance Center Building)
805 Broadway, Suite 412
Vancouver, WA
Open Thurs., Feb. 5 and Fri., Feb. 6,
Thurs., Feb. 12 and Fri., Feb. 13
9 am to 1 pm

Garfield County
Southeast Washington Economic Development Association
Pomeroy Grain Growers Building Office #6
910 Main Street
Pomeroy, WA
Open Tues., Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 10 am to 2 pm

Island County
The Island County Economic Development Council
180 NW Coveland Street
Coupeville, WA
Open Thurs., Feb. 5 and Fri., Feb. 6, Thurs., Feb. 12 and Fri., Feb. 13 9 am to 1 pm

Jefferson County
Port Townsend
Chamber of Commerce
440 12th Street
Port Townsend, WA
Open Wed., Feb. 4 thru Fri., Feb. 6,
Wed., Feb. 11 thru Fri., Feb. 13 and
Thurs., Feb. 19 9 am to 1 pm

Klickitat County
Klickitat County Fairgrounds
903 N. Fairgrounds Rd.
Goldendale, WA
Open Tuesdays Feb. 10 and Feb. 17 9 am to 1 pm

San Juan County
Legislative Building Second Floor
55 2nd Street
Friday Harbor, WA
Open Thurs., Feb. 5 and Fri., Feb. 6 and Wed., Feb. 11 thru Fri., Feb. 13 9 am to 1 pm

Stevens County
Tri County Economic
Development District
347 West 2nd Street – Suite A
Colville, WA
Open Wed., Feb. 4 and Thur., Feb. 5
Open Thurs., Feb. 12 and Fri., Feb. 13 9 am to 1 pm

Walla Walla County
Walla Walla Valley
Chamber of Commerce
29 East Sumach Street
Walla Walla, WA
Open Wed., Feb. 4 and Thur., Feb. 5
Open Thurs., Feb. 12 and Fri., Feb. 13
9 am to 1 pm

Whitman County
Pullman Chamber of Commerce
415 North Grand Avenue
Pullman, WA
Open Mon., Feb. 9 and Wed., Feb. 18 9 am to 1 pm

SBA will also provide customer service to business owners for the December economic injury declaration at all Disaster Recovery Centers that are open to help individuals and business owners who suffered property damage or economic loss as a result of the January severe winter storms and flooding disaster.

Applicants may apply for SBA loan assistance online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling toll-free (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or by visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877 8339.

The deadline to apply for these loans is October 30, 2009.