(Spencer)– Small businesses in Clay, Emmet, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux counties impacted by the flood are eligible for assistance through the Small Business Administration. Larry Wajda, Director of the Small Business Development Center, or SBDC in Spencer, tells KUOO news his office is assisting businesses in those counties with the application process…
“Currently we are helping process all the SBA loans. We’ve provided some those links, they’re on our web page. People can call me, we can get them signed up saying what their economic impact has been, whether it is payroll services to cover some of their own employees, whether it’s their building, their assets, any loans that are existing that might be out there. It’s important to know that through the Small Business Administration they do no do any grants. At this time, there are no grants on the business side of it. They are all low interest loans that have deferred payments for 12 months.”
Wajda says his office is also providing assistance with individuals impacted by the disaster…
“We’re also helping with FEMA on the personal side of people that are out there that need to report losses to their homes, their vehicle, any tangible assets. I can help, our department can help with the economic factor, not the social services of that. There’s a strong distinction there on what we can do but we’re trying to get everybody into the system to make sure they’re qualified on the federal level and on the state level.”
Wajda says it never hurts to apply, even if you are unsure as to your eligibility…
“My strongest advice is even if you’re not sure if you qualify for a program or not, get your information into the system. Often people don’t know what they’re qualified for, if something is actually going to be available to them. Get your name out there. And to the average citizen, we have sources to help people if they have frustrations with their insurance company, if they have questions about unemployment insurance. We’re there to answer those questions as well.”
Wajda says the SBDC and FEMA will be opening a business recovery center at the Sioux Center Mall in Sioux Center on Monday where representatives of both entities will be present to offer in-person assistance with applications.
The regional Small Business Development Center is located within the Spencer Campus of Iowa Lakes Community College at 1900 Grand Avenue. The office can be reached at 712-580-8619.
