Center opening in Kelso to provide post-storm help

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a disaster loan outreach center in Kelso to assist Southwest Washington residents affected by December’s severe winter storms.

Assistance in the form of low-interest loans are available to residents and businesses in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties who were affected by the stormy weather Dec. 1-14.

The outreach center, in the council conference room at Kelso City Hall, 203 S. Pacific Ave., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will remain open on weekdays until Feb. 11.

The low-interest federal disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed in December’s severe weather.

The Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency encourages anyone who has previously contacted the agency or the Small Business Administration, or who needs help with home or business repairs, to visit the outreach center.

Loan information and application forms are also available through the Small Business Administration by calling 800-659-2955 or sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

More information is also available at www.sba.gov/disaster.

The deadline for applications for property damage assistance is March 28. The deadline for economic injury loans for businesses is Oct. 28.