Contact: Tom Evenson (608) 266-2839
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker announced today the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved his request for federal low-interest disaster loans for individuals and businesses affected by flooding in Wisconsin in July. The SBA will open disaster loan outreach centers to help flood victims and businesses obtain information and apply for assistance.
“While the floodwaters have long receded, the damage remains,” said Governor Walker. “I’m pleased the SBA will be able to provide disaster assistance to these businesses and homeowners as they recover.”
The SBA declared La Crosse and Trempealeau counties along with the contiguous counties of Buffalo, Eau Claire, Jackson, Monroe and Vernon, eligible for disaster assistance. Green and Lafayette counties were also approved for assistance in a separate declaration for the state of Illinois.
Assistance in the form of low-interest loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Low-interest loans up to $2 million are available to businesses for physical damage and economic loss as a result of the flooding.
To help businesses and homeowners apply for assistance, the SBA will be opening Disaster Loan Outreach Centers. The centers will open on Thursday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. at the following Wisconsin locations:
LaCrosse County Administrative Center
212 6th Street North, Basement Room 100
La Crosse, WI
Centerville Community Center and Curling Club
W24854 State Road 54/93
Centerville, WI
Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.