Businesses Devastated by Flooding Can Get Help to Rebuild

Businesses affected by the historic flooding two weeks ago have a chance to get some help as they rebuild.

The United States Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance has set up two Business Recovery Centers in Charleston and Maxwelton in Greenbrier County.

“Businesses can be [a] small business, large business, or non-profit organizations,” explained Mary Gibson, Public Affairs Specialist for the SBA, “They can come into this center and get assistance with their application.”

Gibson says all three are eligible for physical damage assistance, but only small businesses have access to both physical damage and more extensive economic injury assistance.

Businesses can receive up to $2 million through an SBA loan, and pay it back over a period of 30-years with as low as a 4 percent interest rate. The first $25,000 can be obtained without collateral.

Those interested can visit one of the centers for help, or they can also fill out their application online.

Certain paperwork will be needed like tax returns, but the SBA is giving ample time for folks to get ahold of documentation if it was damaged in the floods.

Business owners have until August 24 to submit an application for physical damage, but small businesses seeking economic injury assistance have until March 27, 2017.

W.Va. Business Recovery Centers:

• Charleston Area Alliance, 1116 Smith Street, Charleston, West Virginia, 25301
• Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation, 804 Industrial Park Road, Suite 5, Maxwelton, West Virginia, 24957