Disaster Assistance Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of assistance can I get for my business?
2. Which parishes are eligible for assistance?
3. Where are the LSBDC service centers?
4. Where are the Disaster Recovery Centers? 
5. Where can I find more resources? 
6. Where can I find current information and updates? 
7. How can I prepare for a disaster?

 

Disaster Assistance:

What kind of assistance can I get for my business? <Top>

Business owners adversely affected by the severe storms and flashing flooding that occurred April 27-29 can apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which cover economic damages to their businesses. Businesses can also receive disaster loan assistance at two Business Recover Centers. Confidential disaster recovery assistance is also available at the LSBDC center nearest you at no cost..

EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Businesses of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is August 1, 2011.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 2, 2012.

            LSBDC consultants can assist you with the economic recovery of your business with assistance:

• cash flow projections for disaster loan packages and to determine if your business will have a positive cash flow
• assessing business economic injury
• determining other sources of financial assistance besides the SBA Disaster Loan program
• evaluating the financial strength of your business
• reviewing your options before you make a final decision on your business 

Which parishes are eligible for assistance? <Top>



Bienville, Caldwell, Concordia, De Soto, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Vernon, West Feliciana and Winn

 

Where can I go for business recovery assistance: 

 Louisiana Small Business Development Centers:<Top>

University of Louisiana at Monroe Administration Building 700 University Avenue, Bld 2-123 Monroe, LA 71209 318-342-1224 Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm Friday 7:30 am to 11:30 am Serving the parishes of Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll.

Northwestern State University Alexandria Dunbar Plaza, Suite 114C 3600 Jackson Street Extension Alexandria, LA 71303-3064 318-484-2123 Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Serving the parishes of Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapdides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn.

Northwestern State University Natchitoches Russell Hall, Room 114A 10 Central Ave Natchitoches, LA 71497 318-357-5611 Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday 7:30 am to 3:00 pm Friday 7:30 am to 12:00 noon Serving the parishes of Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapdides, Sabine, Vernon, and Winn.

Louisiana Business Recovery Center:  <Top>

OUACHITA PARISH Harvey Benoit Recreation Center 1700 Oaklawn Drive Monroe, LA 71202   Hours of Operation: June 7 - June 22 Mondays and Tuesdays 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Wednesdays 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

NATCHITOCHES PARISH  Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office 200 Church Street Natchitoches, LA 71457   Hours of Operation: June 9 - June 23 Thursdays, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm Fridays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

 

Mississippi Business Recovery Centers: <Top>



Businesses needing economic injury assistance in Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Madison, Tensas and West Feliciana parish can seek assistance at the following location:

Wilkinson County



Wilkinson Industrial Complex



1495 US Hwy 61 South



Woodville, MS 39669

Monday - Saturday



9:00 am - 7:00 pm

 

Where can I find more resources?

For more information contact the SBA:

 

• Phone: 1-800-659-2955 
• Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov   
• Website: www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

 

Current Information & Updates

SBA Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

SBA Disaster Declarations

 

 

How can I plan for a disaster? <Top>

You can significantly increase your business survival after a major disaster if you plan for business continuity. Of the businesses that close following a disaster, 43 percent never reopen. Don't let your business become another statistic. You can download a comprehensive planning tool kit from the LSBDC website along with all the information you need to create a disaster plan. As you create your disaster plan consider the following, of the businesses that close following a major disaster, as many as 43 percent never reopen. Don't let your business become another statistic. You can download a comprehensive planning tool kit from the LSBDC website along with all the information you need to create a disaster plan. As you create your disaster plan consider the following points:

 

 

· Protect your family and employees with personal disaster plans.

Your most important asset is your family and your employees. Do you and your employees have a personal family disaster preparedness plan? Consider the different ways you can help your employees return to work quickly. Can you offer carpooling, provide emergency housing for displaced employees, provide short-term financial aid, or even childcare on site?

· Protect your place of business, contents, inventory, production process, and critical documents.



Identify all the critical processes, documents, contents and resources you need to reopen your business at your current location or at a recovery site. Be sure to back-up all your critical documents and store them in an alternative location at least 50 miles from your business. Think about alternative suppliers and vendors you can use. Involve them in the planning process. Make sure you have adequate insurance. Do you have business continuity insurance? Most small businesses can not survive a work stoppage of more than a few weeks. You can even get lower rates on your insurance by creating a disaster plan.

· Create an emergency communication system to keep employees, vendors, and key customers informed.



Be sure you have emergency contact information for all your employees, critical vendors, key customers, and local authorities and keep everyone informed during an emergency. You may want to set up a remote voicemail box, or post information on a website, or set up a phone tree. Planning for any eventuality is critical to recovering quickly from a disaster.