SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Businesses and residents in Sullivan County that were impacted by the tornado can learn about applying for disaster loans on Saturday, April 22.

On Thursday, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will open a Business Recovery Center in Sullivan County.

It will be open beginning this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Sullivan City Hall From then, the Business Recovery Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and again the following Saturday, April 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is closed on Sundays. 

Customer service representatives will help business owners and residents with filling out disaster loan applications and accepting documents for existing applications. They can also give people updates on their application status. 

“Our Business Recovery Centers are one of the most powerful resources at SBA’s disposal to support business owners in the midst of a disaster,” said Francisco Sanchez, Jr., Associate Administrator, Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “Business owners can meet in person with our specialists to apply for SBA disaster loans and get information on the full breadth of our programs designed to help them navigate their recovery.” 

Several counties are covered by the disaster declaration including Allen, Benton, Clinton, Grant, Howard, Johnson, Lake, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Sullivan, and White counties. Those impacted are encouraged to not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. 

“The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant benefit of SBA’s disaster loan program,” said SBA Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez, Jr. “I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding.”

Those eligible can apply online at the SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance webpage and should apply under SBA declaration # 17881. 

Applicants should register online to be considered for all forms of disaster assistance. Applicants can also download the FEMA mobile app or call the toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Individuals can access disaster loan information and application forms by calling the SBA’s customer service center at 800-659-2955, (dial 711 for deaf or hard-of-hearing assistance) by email, or by downloading an application and mailing it to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 14, 2023, and the deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 15, 2024.