ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR ST MARY PARISH BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY OIL SPILL |
Daily Review • May 21, 2010
St. Mary businesses affected by the oil spill resulting from the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico last month can get help to remain open from the state and federal governments.
This week, Louisiana Economic Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration have opened Business Recovery Centers in six southeastern parishes.
The nearest center accessible to St. Mary fishermen is at South Lafourche Public Library, 16241 East Main St. in Cut Off. The center is open and available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Centers are also open in Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany and Orleans parishes.
Owners of small businesses who have been affected financially by the oil spill can visit the centers to speak with SBA and Louisiana Small Business Development Center Network (LSBDC) representatives about their options regarding the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
Eligible small businesses include those engaged in shrimping, crabbing and oyster fishing in waters affected by closure; small businesses dependent on the catching or sale of shrimp, crabs and oysters and suppliers of fishing gear and fuel; docks, boatyards, processors, wholesalers, shippers, retailers and other small businesses dependent on revenue from fishing, recreational and sports-fishing small businesses, and coastal small businesses.
In response to a request from Gov. Bobby Jindal, SBA Administrator Karen Mills activated the loan program in 34 Louisiana parishes and seven counties in Mississippi.
At each center, LSBDC counselors and SBA customer service representatives are available for free, one-on-one consultations. Services include assistance with SBA's EIDL program and loan packaging support, a review of financial options for small businesses and other traditional counseling assistance. The deadline to apply for EIDL loans is Monday, Feb. 7, 2011.
"I encourage all small business owners potentially impacted by the oil spill to visit these centers," said LED Secretary Stephen Moret. "The counselors and representatives on hand will provide valuable assistance with the EIDL loan application process and determine the best options for small businesses in the impacted areas of south Louisiana."
The centers are scheduled to be open Mondays through Fridays at the following locations and times indicated. No appointment is necessary, and all services are free.
Business owners who are unable to visit a center may obtain loan information and application forms by calling SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. They may also apply online using the electronic loan application on SBA's Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .
Assumption, Iberia, Lafourche, St. Martin and Terrebonne parish businesses are also eligible.