N.C. Gov. Reminds Small Business Owners Impacted by Storms of Loan Deadline

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley is urging small business owners who were impacted by the 2004 hurricanes to apply for assistance through the Business Recovery Assistance Program by the July 30 deadline.

“With several named storms already taking their toll this season, we must do all we can do help those whose businesses were harmed by the 2004 hurricanes get back on their feet,” Easley said. “These funds are designed to do just that, and money is still available.”

A total of $13 million was allocated through the Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005 to support business recovery assistance in four categories: federal disaster local interest rebates, direct state disaster loans, assistance in applying or reapplying for federal disaster loans, and continued support for state loan recipients.

Easley also reminded those who received a Small Business Administration business disaster loan that they are eligible for a rebate on the first three years of interest.

The first loan was issued on April 25. To date, about $8.1 million in loans have been approved to applicants throughout the 50 disaster-declared counties. The loans and rebates dispersed so far support more than 1,300 jobs in North Carolina, most of them in the western part of the state.

For additional information on the program or how to contact the nearest office, call the SBTDC at 1-800-258-0862 or visit its Web site at: www.sbtdc.org/disaster.