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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Napa/Sonoma Small Business Development Center today announced the opening of a business recovery center in Santa Rosa to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the wildfires that began Oct 8, 2017. The center will open as indicated below.

“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses the wildfires inflicted on businesses in California, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives and SBDC business advisors will be available to meet individually with each business owner,” she added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge.

SONOMA COUNTY

Business Recovery Center

The Courtyard

141 Stony Circle, Suite 155

Santa Rosa, CA  95401

Opens 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2

Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

“SBA customer service representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. They will answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their electronic loan application,” Garfield said.

According to Napa/Sonoma SBDC Director Mary Cervantes, SBDC business advisors at the center will provide business assistance to clients on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. “Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’s strength, cash flow projections, and most importantly, a review of options with the business owner to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions that are appropriate for their situation,” she said.

According to Garfield, businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Business owners may also apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Texas. Disaster loan information is also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877‑8339. For more disaster assistance information, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.