SBA Processing Disaster Recovery Loans In Charleston, Bridgeport

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is in West Virginia to process low interest disaster loans for West Virginia businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by severe storms and flooding on Aug. 14 –18. 

The declaration covers Fayette, Harrison, and Kanawha counties. Those counties are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from SBA.  

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in a number of adjacent counties are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans as well. They are: Barbour, Boone, Clay, Doddridge, Greenbrier, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Upshur, and Wetzel counties. 

Physical disaster loans can be up to $2 million and can be used to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, inventory, and other business assets. Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence. 

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage. 

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 3% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement.  

The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. 

“Through a presidential declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.” 

Customer service representatives are available at the Business Recovery Center in Kanawha County and the Disaster Recovery Center in Harrison County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application.  

Walk-ins are welcome, and you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The hours of operation are listed below: 

Business Recovery Center -- Charleston Area Alliance
1116 Smith St. Charleston, WV 25301 
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Harrison County Disaster Recovery Center
Bridgeport City Hall – 515 W. Main St. Bridgeport, WV 26330
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(closed on November 3, Election Day)

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.  

For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

The filing deadline for returning applications for physical property damage is Dec. 7. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 7, 2027.