The SBA Disaster Declaration, requested by Governor Mills, provides low-interest loans to businesses and nonprofits affected by shelter orders.
Governor Janet Mills announced today that the US Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a request to provide emergency financial assistance to Maine businesses directly affected by the Lewiston tragedy on October 25th.
Last week, the Mills Administration formally asked the SBA to issue Economic Harm Disaster Loan Declarations for businesses in communities in Lewiston, Lisbon and Bowdoin that are closing under shelter-in-place orders. suspicious.
Today’s Disaster Declaration will provide up to $2 million in low-interest Economic Loss Disaster Loans to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and private nonprofits in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, as well as the adjoining Cumberland counties. Franklin, Kennebec and Oxford.
“I am grateful to the US Small Business Administration for quickly approving my request to assist affected Maine businesses.” Gov. Janet Mills said. “I encourage eligible Maine businesses to apply for this assistance. My Administration will continue to seek additional loan-free support for businesses affected by the tragedy in Lewiston.”
“The SBA is ready to help Maine’s small business owners affected by the mass shooting in Lewiston that tragically claimed lives and disrupted neighborhoods.” This was announced by Isabel Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the US Small Business Administration. “With today’s announcement, we are committed to providing on-the-spot relief federal economic disaster loans to help businesses and communities get the financial support they may need to recover and rebuild their neighborhood businesses.”
The interest rates for the loans issued with the declaration are 4 percent for business and 2.375 percent for non-profit organizations, with a term of up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial situation.
Loans can be used to pay fixed debts, wages, accounts payable, and other bills that would have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The SBA determines eligibility based on the applicant’s size, type of activity, and financial resources. Credits are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. Applicants may apply online through SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster and must apply under SBA Declaration #20075.
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or by emailing [email protected].
Applications will be accepted until August 6, 2024.
To help businesses affected by the disaster, the SBA will open the Lewiston Business Recovery Center (BRC) on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, 415 Lisbon St., Suite 100 in Lewiston. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The BRC will be closed Friday, Nov. 10 for Veterans Day and permanently closed on Tuesday, Nov. . 21, at 16:00
The Governor Mills SBA Disaster Loan application was developed and submitted by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development in partnership with the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lewiston Department of Economic and Community Development.
In addition to seeking assistance from the SBA, in response to the Lewiston tragedy, the Mills Administration:
- Healing Together, an online information clearinghouse for Maine residents seeking ways to help the Lewiston victims and their families, as well as mental health support for anyone affected by last week’s violence, has launched.
- A dedicated web page of behavioral health resources for Maine residents has been created, including how to talk to children about gun violence, available online at Maine.gov/dhhs.
- An online form has been launched to allow communities or organizations to request behavioral health assistance.
The Mills Administration also continues to work closely with Lewiston area schools to ensure students and staff returning to school have full access to the services and support they need.