Bartow, Fla. (October 1, 2022) — The Small Business Administration (SBA) is preparing to render federal disaster assistance as quickly as possible to Polk County’s small business owners and critical disaster relief to homeowners.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate,machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is availableregardless of whether the business suffered anyphysical property damage.

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

Applicants may apply online today using theElectronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s securewebsite at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ and should apply under SBA declaration#17644.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online atDisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at (800) 621-3362. Those who use711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call (800) 621-3362.

The filing deadline to return applications for physicalproperty damage is Nov. 28, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 29, 2023.