The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Governor Malloy's request for disaster assistance resulting from the May 15th tornadoes and severe storms.   Homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits in Fairfield and Litchfield counties will be eligible to receive loans from the SBA to help with the costs of both physical and economic damages.

Loans up to $200,000 will be available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, which may include debris removal.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

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

Applications can be filled out and submitted online through the SBA website at disasterloan.sba.gov.  The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is December 10th.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 9th.  The SBA will also open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Southbury Training School to help people process applications and answer questions in person.  The office will be open from October 11 through the 18th. 

Hours are:
Thursday, October 11: 11AM to 6PM
Friday, October 12: 9AM to 6PM
Saturday, October 13: 10AM to 2PM
Sunday: October 14: Closed
Monday, October 15: 9AM to 6PM
Tuesday, October 16: 9AM to 6PM
Wednesday, October 17: 9AM to 6PM
Thursday, October 18: 9AM to 4PM