The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering low-interest disaster loans to those impacted by Hurricane Zeta.
Residents, homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations in Harrison County can now apply online. Applicants must first register with FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. Then apply with SBA at SBA.gov/disaster or call 1-800-659-2955 to see if they are eligible for federal assistance.  The process is limited to online because of COVID-19.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available for homeowners for damaged or destroyed real estate, and up to $40,000 for homeowners and renters to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed property. Businesses and non-profits may be eligible for up to $2 million. Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent.
The deadline to file an application for physical property damage is March 1. The deadline to file economic injury applications – to assist small businesses and many non-profits meet working capital needs caused by the disaster – is Oct. 1.
The free application process allows applicants secure access to possible SBA financing that can be used for disaster related recovery efforts such as to pay for insurance deductibles, begin repairs while waiting on insurance claims, or initiate mitigation projects to protect property against future damage from similar disasters.
The application process is also open to those eligible in Jackson, Hancock, Stone, George, and Greene counties and is now available following a Presidential disaster declaration for Public Assistance for damages caused by Hurricane Zeta.
See the SBA press release
See the SBA press release in Spanish
See the SBA virtual outreach and recovery center flyer
See the SBA virtual outreach and recovery center flyer in Spanish
News & notes: Council, trees
City Council: Biloxi City Council will hold its first meeting of 2021 tonight at 6 at Biloxi City Hall. To see the meeting agenda and supporting documents, click here. The meeting will be streamed live and can be accessed by clicking the LIVE tab on the top of the City of Biloxi website.
Biloxi’s prized trees: Do you know of a tree that is a community landmark? How about a tree that has special meaning? If you are familiar with a special well-known tree, you can now post your favorite on Facebook at The Trees of Biloxi. To post a photo and location of your beloved tree, click here.
