EDMOND — Although Gov. Brad Henry’s request to make counties in Oklahoma eligible for major disaster relief from the federal government following the storms that swept through the state in mid-June was denied, help has arrived for Edmond in the form of federal disaster loans.

Those Edmond residents and business owners affected by the severe storms, straight line winds and flooding that occurred June 13 through June 15 in Oklahoma County may receive aid through low-interest federal disaster loans, said U. S. Small Business Administration Administrator Karen G. Mills.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center for Oklahoma County is at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4938, 16 E. Campbell St. in Edmond. The Center opened Thursday and will remain open through Aug. 5, and will be staffed Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SBA acted under its own authority to declare a disaster in response to the state’s request on July 9 following the July 2 denial of the state’s request for a major disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the Oklahoma counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie.

“The U. S. Small Business Administration is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist those residents and businesses affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding with federal disaster loans,” Mills said. “Getting our businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations whose property was damaged or destroyed by the disaster, said Dorothy A. Overal, SBA’s Oklahoma District Director.

“Beginning Thursday, July 15 at 9 a.m., SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (in Edmond) to issue loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their application and close their approved loans,” Overal said. No appointment is necessary.

“The severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred June 13 through 15 in Oklahoma County have created hardships for many individuals and families,” said SBA Public Information Officer Michael D. Flores. “We strongly encourage everyone affected by this disaster to visit the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center for one-on-one assistance.”  

“SBA is dedicated to assisting the victims of this disaster and look forward to meeting with individuals and families at our Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Edmond,” said Burl Kelton, Public Information Officer for SBA.   

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

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. SBA can also lend additional funds to homeowners and businesses to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 2.75 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations, and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling SBA toll-free at (800) 659-2955, e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877-8339.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is Sept. 13. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 13, 2011.