For Immediate Release:
February 19, 2013
Don't miss eligibility opportunity
Deadline to file for business disaster assistance
is March 1
Officials visit local businesses as they work to recover
FREEHOLD, NJ – Monmouth County Freeholders Director Thomas A. Arnone and Deputy Director Serena DiMaso joined Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno at several Monmouth County businesses last week as part of the “Open for Business” campaign.
The freeholders and the Lt. Governor touted the comeback of businesses throughout the county and reminded business owners to register with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) if they were impacted in any way by Superstorm Sandy.
“Anyone who suffered any type of damage - physical or loss of business – as a result of Sandy should register with FEMA and the SBA right away,” Arnone said. “The deadline to be eligible for any type of grant or loan depends on filing by the March 1 deadline.”
“We want our towns and our businesses to move forward and one way to do that is to remind them of the upcoming deadline to be eligible for storm recovery funding,” Arnone said. “There’s a lot to be done before the start of the summer tourism season.”
Owners of three eastern Monmouth County businesses and the officials discussed the impact of the economic downturn, Superstorm Sandy and their 2013 business forecast and the upcoming tourism season. The locations were Old Monmouth Candies in Freehold, Bain’s Hardware in Sea Bright and Ye Olde Pie Shoppe in Little Silver.
“The SBA offers low-interest, long-term loans that can be used for Sandy recovery efforts,” DiMaso said. “The sooner you apply, the sooner you may have an additional funding option to help you with rebuilding costs. For individuals and businesses with uninsured losses, SBA’s disaster loans may be your key to full recovery.”
Filling out a SBA application does not obligate you to accept a loan, if offered.
You can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application. If you think you need help filling out the application, or have questions about what documents are required to complete the process, call SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss may call 800-462-7585. You can also email the center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Visit SBA’s Hurricane Sandy website for more information.
There is a SBA Business Recovery Center at Brookdale Community College. It is located in the Bankier Library Room 246 at 765 Newman Springs Rd. Lincroft, NJ 07738.
“SBA representatives are also available at the three Disaster Recovery Centers in Monmouth County,” DiMaso said.
The three Monmouth County Disaster Recovery Center locations are:
- Belmar Municipal Building, 601 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
- Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Hwy 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737 (Atlantic Highlands/ Middletown border)
- Union Beach Municipal Building, 650 Poole Ave., Union Beach, NJ 07735
Disaster Recovery Centers are set up for residents to be able to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance. FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information, and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.
“Be sure to file the SBA disaster loan application by the March 1 deadline,” “Do not miss out on the opportunity to get a low interest loan to help you recover from Sandy,” said DiMaso.
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