The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Louisiana Department of Economic Development (LED) and Louisiana Small Business Development Centers (LSBDCs) announced the opening of six Business Recovery Centers to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding that began Aug. 11, 2016. The centers opened beginning Saturday, Aug. 20.

"Due to the severe property damage and economic loss these storms and floods inflicted on businesses in Louisiana, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet," said SBA's Louisiana District Director Michael Ricks. "The centers will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. Specialists from SBA and LSBDC will be available to meet individually with each business owner," he added. No appointment is necessary. All services are provided free of charge.

Business Recovery Center openings and locations:

ASCENSION PARISH
Bancorp South Bank
13423 Highway 73, Prairieville, LA 70769
Opens 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH
Louisiana State Archives
(Corner of I-12 and Essen Lane)
3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Opens 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22
Mondays - Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Baker Workforce Development Center
3262 Baker Blvd., Baker, LA 70714
Opens 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22
Mondays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sundays, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

LAFAYETTE PARISH
Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise (LITE)
Executive Conference Room
537 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, LA 70506
Opens 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22
Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sundays, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH
Amite Chamber of Commerce
101 SE Central Ave., Amite, LA 70422
Opens 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20
Mondays – Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sundays 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

SBA continues to provide one-on-one assistance to business owners at its Walker BRC located at:

LIVINGSTON PARISH
Southeastern Louisiana University
Clausen Family Building
Literacy and Technology Center – Room 119
9261 Florida Blvd., Walker, LA 70785
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

SBA representatives will meet with each business owner to explain how an SBA disaster loan can help finance their recovery. "They will answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each business owner complete their application" Ricks said. According to LSBDC State Director Rande Kessler, LSBDC consultants at the centers will provide counseling on a wide variety of matters designed to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome the effects of the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business economic injury, evaluating the business's strength, cash flow projections and most importantly, a review of all options to ensure each business makes decisions that are appropriate for its situation. "They will also provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help," Kessler continued.

LED Secretary Don Pierson, Director Ricks and Director Kessler want to ensure impacted businesses secure the financial assistance they need to resume normal operations. "LED worked in partnership with SBA and our Small Business Development Centers," said LED Secretary Pierson. "This highly trained and experienced team of consultants will be available to provide business consulting services designed to help these business owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future," he said.

Businesses of any size and private, nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. These loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries. For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Business owners may also apply online using SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or get help from SBA representatives at any Disaster Recovery Center in Louisiana. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA's Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877‑8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit http://www.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.