SBA offers disaster loans to Tempe residents, nonprofits and businesses impacted by storms

PHOENIX — The U.S. Small Business Association will open a disaster loan center in Tempe on Tuesday to help residents, businesses and nonprofits recover from last month’s storms.

The SBA is opening the Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Tempe Public Library’s second floor in response to a Nov. 6 request from Gov. Katie Hobbs. It opens at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

After that, it will be open Mondays to Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursdays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be closed Nov. 26-27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Those in need can contact SBA customer service representatives at the center who will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application.

SBA customer service representatives at the center will answer questions, explain the loan process and help applicants complete their forms.

Although walk-ins are accepted, those in need can schedule in-person appointments in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

Details about disaster loans, new center in Tempe library

Several different types of loans are available. Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other assets.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits for working capital needs caused by the disaster, even without physical damage. Funds can cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills.

Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA, said the center will help people impacted by the Oct. 13 microburst that ripped roofs off buildings and toppled trees onto homes and businesses in Tempe.

“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” Stallings said.

The storm delivered 0.75 inches of rain in minutes and winds up to 90 mph, displacing over 130 people and thousands were left without power.

The storm left nine apartment buildings and several homes uninhabitable, closed multiple public parks, saw emergency calls surge from the usual 80 to 170 and caused a major disruption to the city’s power grid.

Tempe Mayor Corey Woods called it the worst storm he’s seen in over 22 years, declaring a state of emergency in order to help the city access the funds needed to speed up the cleanup and restoration of the community.

“At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available,” Stallings said.

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