SBA loan office opens in North Vernon

Residents and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred Aug. 4 through Aug. 9 in southeastern Indiana may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration at three offices starting today.

The nearest office for Jackson County residents who had damage from those storms and flooding is at the Jennings County Emergency Management Office, 1001 Rodgers Park Drive, North Vernon.

Karen G. Mills, SBA administrator, said the offices will open today and will close Thursday.

The assistance is in response to a request from Gov. Mitch Daniels and covers Clark, Floyd and Jennings counties and the adjacent counties of Bartholomew, Decatur, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott and Washington in Indiana and Jefferson, Oldham and Trimble counties in Kentucky.

“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate,” Mills said.

“Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” added Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s disaster Field Operations Center in Atlanta.

SBA’s customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications.

Hours today are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon; and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They’re closed Sunday.

Duane Davis of Jackson County Emergency Management said a survey he conducted with a team from the Federal Emergency Management Agency showed two Jackson County homes were destroyed by flooding and 10 others sustained major damage, which means they are not inhabitable without repairs to make them livable.

Another 40 homes had minor damage.

Daniels’ earlier request for a federal disaster declaration was rejected.