SBA opens Disaster Recovery Center at Bonsall Community Center

SACRAMENTO – Small Business Administration (SBA) opened its Disaster Recovery Center in Fallbrook Jan. 20 at Rancho Monserate Community Center. On Jan. 25 the center was moved to the Bonsall Community Center, 31505 Old River Road. The center is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lilac fire survivors can now apply with FEMA and SBA for help. SBA offers low interest rate federal disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of President Trump’s major disaster declaration, U.S. SBA administrator Linda McMahon announced.

The declaration covers Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as a result of the wildfires, flooding, mudslides and debris flows directly related to the wildfires that began Dec. 4, 2017.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing California with the most effective and customer-focused response possible and with access to federal disaster loans to help California businesses and residents affected by this disaster,” said McMahon. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Businesses of all sizes 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. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

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

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3.385 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.75 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at http://www.disasterassistance.gov.

At the Disaster Recovery Center, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information is available by calling the SBA customer service center at (800) 659-2955.