Posted: September 30, 2022 | By: LendVer Staff –
Hurricane Ian smashed into Florida’s southwest coast Wednesday afternoon as a devastating Category 4 hurricane and by Thursday night left nearly 2 million homes and businesses throughout Florida without power. Hurricane Ian may end up being one of the most powerful storms to ever make landfall in the U.S. and it will leave behind a wake of billions of dollars’ in damages and millions of small business owners wondering what to do next.
Accessing Disaster Relief Financing
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has created a low interest rate financing program specifically for disaster relief. The SBA’s website states…
Businesses of all sizes located in declared disaster areas, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters affected by declared disasters, including civil unrest and natural disasters such as hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires.
SBA.gov
How to Use an SBA Disaster Loan
The SBA website further provides information on how an SBA disaster relief loan can be used…
- Losses not covered by insurance or funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for both personal and business
- Business operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred
Applying for an SBA Disaster Loan
The first step to applying for a disaster relief loan is to follow the instructions on this link to see if the SBA has issued a disaster declaration in your area that may have been affected by Hurricane Ian or another disaster. If your area has been identified as a declared disaster area then start your application, after which you’ll be able to log in to your account and check your email for application status updates.
Other Fast SBA Working Capital Financing Options
If your business has been temporarily affected by Hurricane Ian and you’ve been able to remain open or will re-open soon, or if you are in need of fast and affordable SBA working capital financing but were not affected by a disaster, then SBA Express financing may be the right option for you.
- Working Capital Financing up to $25,000
- Interest Rates from Prime + 4.5%
- Monthly Loan Repayment
- 10-Year Fully Amortizing Loans
- No Prepayment Penalty
- Same Day Funding Available
Businesses that meet the following criteria can get started with SBA Express financing…
- 725+ Business Owner Credit Score
- Meet SBA Eligibility Criteria
- 2 Years Minimum Time in Business (if affected by Hurricane Ian, have remained open or will re-open soon)
Conclusion
Those affected by the havoc that Hurricane Ian has left along its path, or others that may bear the brunt of future natural disasters may be able to obtain low interest rate relief financing directly from the government and shouldn’t delay in starting an application directly with the SBA. Even if you were only moderately affected by Hurricane Ian or were not at all, establishing an emergency capital reserve for your business with affordable and fast SBA Express financing may be a smart move.
If you were affected by Hurricane Ian or another natural disaster, contact the SBA directly for disaster relief financing.
Interested in accessing fast and affordable SBA Express financing? Contact our recommended best commercial real estate & business lender South End Capital.