SBA offers hurricane assistance

Individuals and businesses in 22 Louisiana parishes and 10 Mississippi counties are eligible for disaster assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has issued comprehensive guidance on how to access the assistance, which includes low-interest loans, up to $2 million for businesses and private nonprofits to repair or replace damaged property, and up to $2 million in working capital for small businesses to help with disaster recovery. Businesses in declared disaster areas may be able to defer loan payments on existing disaster loans for up to one year. Nine Business Recovery Centers opened in September 2012.