Disaster loan outreach center opens in Orcutt

ORCUTT, Calif. -- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a new Disaster Loan Outreach Center Tuesday morning in Orcutt.

The temporary center is located at the Orcutt Union School District and is a place where businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters can receive one-on-one assistance with the disaster loan program and disaster loan applications.

"We needed this to open today because we are having people that are inquiring about the disaster and they're inquiring about the application process," said SBA public information officer Zabrina Tipton. "Folks can come in here and work with one of our company service reps or team leads and they will go ahead and process their application with them and then they can find out what they qualify for, and they can work from there on their decisions on what they want to do to move forward."

The SBA provides low-interest, long-term loans up to those who meet qualifications.

"Our loans are up to $2 million for businesses for economic loss that occurred because of the storm, or any sort of physical damages, as well as for the homeowners and the renters," said Tiptom. The homeowners, it's up to $200,000 for their properties. It's either to repair or replace. And for homeowners and renters, it's up to $40,000, so it's what they qualify for."

Federal relief is only available for any damage sustained during the time period in late December to late January that was declared as a major disaster by President Biden. Any damage sustained during the most recent storms this month is not eligible.

“That storm was from December 27, 2022 through January 31st, 2023, so any damages that occurred for businesses, homeowners and businesses would be between that time period to apply right now," said Tipton.

Representatives with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are also on hand at the SBA center.

However, it does not serve as an official Disaster Recovery Center, similar to the ones that previously were open in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo, which both closed recently.

"We're just representing FEMA in case they have any questions, we can give them any information that's needed," said FEMA representative Joaquin Feliciano. "We can give them an update on their application and provide the DRCs that are available to them so they can bring their documents in case they have any denial letters or anything from FEMA, or if they have any questions about FEMA, they can visit the Ventura DRC."

The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will remain in place as long as the need remains in the community.