U.S. Small Business Administration approves Governor’s request; outreach center opens Monday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2021) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear said eligible residents and business owners in Nicholas County can apply for low-interest loans to help repair property and reopen businesses damaged by historic flooding.
The loans are available because the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the Governor’s request to issue a disaster declaration for the county.
“Today’s announcement is the second round of good news Nicholas County has received this week related to their flood recovery efforts,” Gov. Beshear said. “While we know many are disappointed that FEMA aid was not granted for the county and residents, these low-interest loans can help this tight-knit community take another step forward in their rebuilding process.”
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett echoed the Governor and added, “The Governor and I thank the U.S. Small Business Administration for the declaration as well as the residents and business owners in Carlisle and Nicholas County for their continued teamwork.”
To assist businesses and residents affected by the disaster, the SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Nicholas County on Monday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. EST as indicated below:
Nicholas County DLOC
Where:
Nichols County Public Library
233 N. Broadway Street
Carlisle, KY 40311
Opening:
Monday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
Hours:
Monday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
Tuesday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST
One Saturday only, Nov. 13, from 9 a.m. to noon EST
Closed:
Thursday, Nov. 11, for Veteran’s Day and on Sunday, Nov. 14
Closes Permanently:
Friday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20% of their physical damages as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ela/s and should apply under SBA declaration #17260, not for the COVID-19 incident.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
Loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be returned to the center 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 Jan. 3, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 3, 2022.
All contiguous counties and residents of Bath, Bourbon, Fleming, Harrison, Montgomery and Robertson counties also are included, which is a required part of any SBA declaration.
Gov. Beshear announced Thursday that he has awarded up to $1 million from a Flood Control Program to help the local government in Nicholas County restore infrastructure damaged in historic flooding that occurred this summer.
The county received 4.07 inches of rain in a two-hour period overnight July 29. The rainfall deluge exceeded the 1,000-year return rate, caused damage to homes and government property, and resulted in numerous high-water rescues, multiple road closures and one fatality.
The Governor toured the damaged areas and declared a state of emergency. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff evaluated the damage in early August, and the Governor requested that the agency declare a major disaster declaration, specifically asking for individual assistance for residents who were impacted. FEMA initially denied the request and, after an appeal, issued a final denial determination. Without assistance from FEMA, the Governor has continued to search for ways to help the county.
In addition to replacing emergency management vehicles, the funds will assist Nicholas County in restoring damaged public infrastructure, buildings, equipment and other items that were included in the damage assessment report.
Nicholas County Judge/Executive Steve Hamilton joined the Governor at the Capitol on Thursday to accept the funds on behalf of the community.
The flooding affected 88 homes and 29 businesses, as well as the city’s wastewater treatment plant, fire station and city garage. The estimated damage to roads, bridges, buildings and equipment, along with the cost of debris removal, totals more than $3.8 million.
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