Residents and businesses impacted by the September 9, 2023, flood in Keyser Valley and North Scranton can apply for additional funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loan program. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 25, 2024.
“While we had hoped we would meet the damage declaration threshold to provide individual assistance from FEMA, this SBA program offers another chance for Scranton residents to rebuild or replace their belongings lost in September,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. “We encourage impacted residents to explore this option and we will continue to evaluate flood relief grant applications made possible through our American Rescue Plan Act funding. We are also advocating for a reversal of our public assistance denial from FEMA.”
In October, the City of Scranton opened its individual disaster recovery grant program for affected residents to receive up to $5,000 in funds. Reviews of those applications are ongoing with help from grant administrators at the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
“The flooding in Northeastern PA has been devastating, and I stand committed to helping Pennsylvanians recover and rebuild stronger than before,” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said in a statement last week. “That’s why we worked with the federal government to open up access to these low interest loans as one tool to ensure homeowners and business owners have the support they need and can recoup unforeseen losses.”
The SBA’s Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties who sustained damages from flooding. Homeowners and renters can receive up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property. Businesses and most private non-profits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Additionally, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in the disaster area may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The deadline for the EIDL program is Friday, October 25, 2024.
Loan applications can be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76155. Details about the September 9 disaster declaration are available online at https://lending.sba.gov/search-disaster/?disaster=PA-20002.
The SBA will open a local Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) beginning Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 11 a.m. to aid those wishing to apply. The DLOC will be located at the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety, 30 Valley View Dr., Jessup, PA 18434, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Thursday, February 15.
Affected homeowners and renters are strongly encouraged to complete the SBA disaster loan application, as those who do not qualify for an SBA loan may later be eligible for other assistance.
ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov.
Last modified: January 30, 2024
