Latest news with #SBA
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal help available for Payne County wildfire victims
PAYNE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) — Federal help is on the ground in Payne County, where wildfires in March left behind a trail of destruction. FEMA and the Small Business Administration are now working to get relief into the hands of those who desperately need it and have set up recovery centers in Stillwater. 'We realize that there have been many people who have been affected by these disasters,' said Fabian Gutierrez, FEMA Region 6 Spokesperson. While FEMA focuses on immediate needs, the SBA steps in to help with long-term recovery. 'We don't just help businesses. We do help homeowners and renters. So, homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their physical damage to their homes. And then homeowners and renters can also apply for up to $100,000,' said Kim Wetherby, SBA Public Information Officer. Dan Byrd lost his home to the flames. On Friday morning, he applied for help. 'I think that there needs to be more people aware of what they're doing here now,' said Byrd. FEMA approves March wildfire assistance for 7 counties Bird says 28 homes in his Stillwater neighborhood burned. 'I couldn't get into the area, but there was smoke everywhere,' said Byrd. 'I was saved. My son was saved and our dog, Samson, he was saved.' FEMA and SBA officials urge survivors to apply now, even if they're unsure what they qualify for. 'We want to make sure that as many people get FEMA assistance,' said Gutierrez 'For businesses, they can apply for up to $2 million to replace their physical damage,' said Wetherby. The disaster recovery center will remain open for at least three more weeks. Officials said they will stay as long as help is needed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's SBA administrator visits Central Texas gun manufacturer
FLORENCE, Texas (KXAN) — The woman overseeing the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump toured a Central Texas gun manufacturing facility Thursday morning as part of a nationwide tour. Kelly Loeffler, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, visited Staccato in Florence, about an hour north of Austin. KXAN was invited to join her exclusively. 'That's what the Small Business Administration is about, it's about creating opportunity for small businesses like this one that are creating jobs and economic growth across this country,' Loeffler said. 'We've proposed to Congress doubling our manufacturing loan size to $10 million from $5 million so that manufacturers can continue to grow and invest just like here.' Earlier this year, the SBA announced a 'Made in America Manufacturing Initiative' which it says will cut down on red tape and regulations, make loans more accessible and promote a local manufacturing workforce. You can read the full list of promises made under the initiative here. 'That's what President Trump's agenda is about, it's deregulation, it's tax cuts, it's economic opportunity and growth for all Americans,' said Loeffler. The initiative promises to 'support President Trump's manufacturing agenda, including tariffs to restore fair and reciprocal trade…' but some Central Texas businesses have expressed concern about the impact tariffs may have. We asked Loeffler about those concerns Thursday. 'Yeah, so when we hear the word 'tariff' think fair trade,' Loeffler responded. 'Our small businesses have been incredibly disadvantaged by unfair trade policies in the last 30 years that hollowed out this country…remember, manufacturing is 99% small businesses.' The same day a court blocked most of President Trump's tariffs. The ruling left tariffs in place the 25% tariffs on cars, car parts and foreign-made steel and aluminum. The Trump administration has already filed a notice planning to appeal to the Supreme Court. You can read more about that legal process and the latest ruling here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Springfield's Small Business Administration Office to close Sunday
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)—State lawmakers are pushing back as the closing of Springfield's Small Business Administration Office looms just days away, and no staff remain for the office. E-bike rider killed in Springfield car crash The lease for the Springfield office was terminated by DOGE officials earlier this year and officially ends on Sunday, June 1st. That means small business owners in our area will face an hours-long trip out to Boston if they need to visit an office for aid. Senators Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, alongside Congressmen Richard Neal and Jim McGovern, are all speaking out. They're demanding a solution for western Massachusetts entrepreneurs, calling on Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler to work to keep the Springfield district office fully staffed and open. They emphasize that this district office helps connect rural, underserved, and emerging markets to federal resources that support local economies. 'Having played a key role in helping small businesses apply for loans and disaster relief programs.' There are no longer any employees working at the Springfield office, following a string of mass firings of SBA workers back in February. Lawmakers say there's no plan to relocate the Springfield office or hire any new workers. State lawmakers have sent a list of questions to the SBA, asking who closed the office and what support will be given to people in our area. They're demanding a response by Saturday before the building closes Sunday. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Reno County Commission approves local disaster declaration after Plevna tornado
PLEVNA, Kan. (KSNW) – It's been ten days since a tornado tore through the town of Plevna in Reno County. The EF-3 storm left a path of destruction, but the damage does not meet the threshold required for state or federal disaster aid. According to Adam Weishaar, director of Reno County Emergency Management, nine homes were destroyed and about 20 others sustained damage on May 18. Roughly half of the affected homes were uninsured. Despite the devastation, the extent of the damage still falls short of qualifying for assistance. 'So all we're counting is houses and buildings or if it's business related we can count towards uninsured loss for SBA but we have to prove that it's uninsured loss and that's where it gets extra challenging for us because a lot of people don't want to tell us if they're insured, if they're not insured, what they're insured for. They don't want to tell us, and that's their right as well,' Weisharr said. On Wednesday, the Reno County Commission unanimously approved a State of Local Disaster Emergency. The commission chair had verbally approved the measure the day after the tornado, but this vote formalizes it with full board support. To support recovery efforts, a benefit concert will be held Friday night at Sandhills Brewing in Hutchinson from 5 to 9 p.m. Proceeds and donations will go to the United Way of Reno County's disaster fund. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal agencies come to Texarkana to provide in-person storm recovery aid
HOOKS, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – Following a federal disaster declaration, a temporary Disaster Recovery Center has come to Texarkana to assist Miller County with storm recovery. Several homes hit by falling trees in Arkansas after thunderstorm 'You have FEMA (Federal Emergency Managment Agency, SBA, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management all here on location where we can all work with you, get you started in your application process, and at the end of the day hopefully get you started on your recovery as quickly as possible,' says Chandler Weber with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). FEMA is primarily looking to fill in the gaps in assistance that insurance did not provide in the wake of severe weather between April 2nd and 22nd, which was covered by the disaster declaration. 'Anybody who had any damages to their homes, whether it be a broken window, roof shingles, roof torn off, any kind of damage to their homes. We're asking you to come and apply for FEMA assistance,' says Fabian Gutierrez with FEMA. The SBA is offering low-interest loans of up to $2 million for businesses. 'We'd rather see a small business take a loan out with us than see them potentially have to shut their doors at the end of the day,' says Weber. Arkansas residents can apply for FEMA assistance after federal disaster declared But the money being offered to rebuild goes beyond businesses. 'The majority of our assistance actually goes to the individual,' says Weber, 'We can offer up to $500,000 for physical damage that happened to their property, with an additional $100,000 for personal property. And that can cover anything from your personal vehicle to the clothes in your back.' FEMA says to be prepared to provide personal information and a list of what was damaged. 'They have an inspector that will go out and be able to take a look at the home, take a look at the damage, and within 10 days or so, we'll be able to get back with you on what exactly we may be able to offer you.' says Gutierrez. The purpose of having representatives available in person, though, is to make the entire process as easy as possible. 'So the biggest thing if you can just bring your driver's license and a little bit of patience just because at the end of the day you are going to sit down with the customer service representative, who's going to work you through the application process. They're going to answer all of your questions,' says Weber. While Trump overhauls FEMA, Mississippi tornado survivors await assistance The agencies will be at the Miller County State Survivor Assistance Location at 409 Hazel St in Texarkana, Arkansas from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. through Saturday, May 31st. The SBA says their application deadline for physical damage is not until July 21st though. SBA applications can be submitted online at MySBA Loan Portal, and they can be reached at disastercustomerservice@ or 1-800-659-2955. FEMA applications can be found at and they can be reached at 1-800-621-3362. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
