ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is permanently closing its two remaining Kentucky Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in Knott and Letcher counties on Tuesday, Oct. 25 due to a steady decrease in center activity. BRCs provide one-on-one assistance in submitting a disaster loan application for Kentucky businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters impacted by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from July 26 through Aug. 11. The application deadline for physical disaster loans is Oct. 28.

“I encourage anyone who has not completed their disaster loan application to visit a Center before the closing to meet with a Customer Service Representative for one-on-one assistance,” said Kem Fleming, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East.

The disaster declaration covers Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley Counties in Kentucky, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bell, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, McCreary, Morgan, Powell and Wolfe in Kentucky; Campbell and Claiborne in Tennessee; Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise in Virginia; and Mingo and Wayne in West Virginia.

SBA’s Customer Service Representatives at the BRCs can answer program questions, assist in completing the SBA application, and help with the reconsideration process. The Centers are located as indicated below:

SBA Business Recovery Center – Knott County
Hindman City Hall
10 Professor Clarke Circle
Hindman, KY 41822
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Permanently closing: Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.

SBA Business Recovery Center – Letcher County
Appalachian Groundswell
229 East Main Street
Whitesburg, KY 41858
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Permanently closing: Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.

Interest rates are as low as 3.04 percent for businesses, 1.875 percent for nonprofit organizations and 2.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration # 17546.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. The physical loan application deadline is Oct. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 1, 2023.