Harrisburg — Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare a disaster in Schuylkill County after significant flood damage to homes and businesses was sustained due to severe storms July 21-27.

“Record-breaking storms affected large portions of the commonwealth this summer, disrupting the lives of those unfortunate enough to live in their path,” said Governor Wolf. “Low interest loan programs like this are important financial lifelines for families embarking on the lengthy and difficult path to recovery.”

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the storms in Schuylkill, as well as neighboring counties Berks, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Northumberland may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.

The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to assist anyone who wishes to apply for a loan.

The center will be open at Tremont Municipal Office, 139 Clay St., Tremont, PA 17981. The center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday and closes at 4 p.m. Nov. 1.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.

People and businesses unable to visit the centers in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 24. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is July 23, 2019.