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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the pipeline oil spill that began Oct. 2, 2021, SBA’s Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to a request SBA received from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s designated representative, Mark S. Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, on Oct. 22, 2021.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help California small businesses impacted by the pipeline oil spill,” said Administrator Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

In consideration of the public health concerns due to the Coronavirus pandemic, beginning Thursday, Oct. 28, SBA will establish a Virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center
Monday – Friday (5 days/week)
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time
(800) 659-2955
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov

“Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Director Tanya N. Garfield of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Garfield added.

Eligibility is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 2.855 percent for small businesses and 2 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years and are restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

The Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center is offering free, personalized counseling to help affected businesses in their recovery. Businesses may contact Mike Daniel by emailing sbdc@fullerton.edu, calling (800) 616-7232, or visiting the SBDC office at 800 N. State College Blvd, SGMH-4157, Fullerton, CA 92831, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to call first for an appointment.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 27, 2022