The U.S. Small Business Administration will close its Galveston County outreach center at High Island High School Wednesday, November 14, at 5 PM.  The SBA opened the office at the high school, 2113 Sixth St., on Oct. 24 to provide information to residents of Bolivar Peninsula about low-interest loans to repair homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Humberto. 

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

Additionally, businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $1.5 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA also may lend additional funds to homeowners and business owners to help with the cost of making improvements that prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.  

The deadline to return applications for property damage is Dec. 21, 2007. 

For small businesses only, SBA offers economic injury disaster loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. This assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.  The deadline to return economic injury loan applications is July 22, 2008. 

After SBA’s outreach center closes, individuals and businesses should mail their completed applications to the SBA at 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.   For more information, contact the SBA at 800-659-2955. Hearing-impaired individuals may call 800-877-8339. You also may visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.