SBA Opens Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Spokane for Eastern Washington Wildfire Victims, Physical Damage Applications Due Dec. 21
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on October 28 the opening of a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Spokane County, Washington, to assist businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by the Eastern Washington Wildfires that occurred July 23 to August 31, 2026.
The center is located at NorthTown Mall, Unit 2058, on the second floor near JC Penney, at 4750 North Division St. in Spokane. It opened Wednesday, October 28 at 11 a.m. and operates Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. SBA customer service representatives are on hand to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome, and in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance appointment.sba.gov.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. “At these centers, our specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”
Businesses and nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million in physical disaster loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence, and homeowners and renters may apply for up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by SBA, for mitigation improvements including strengthening structures against fire damage, upgrading to wind-rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, with financial losses directly related to the disaster, even if they suffered no physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could not be paid because of the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call SBA’s National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP, or email [email protected]. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. The filing deadline for physical property damage applications is December 21, and the deadline for economic injury applications is July 22, 2027.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：华盛顿州 Spokane 市区景象。本次小企业局灾害贷款外展中心设在 Spokane 的 NorthTown Mall。Roman Eugeniusz 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Spokane, Washington, where SBA opened its Disaster Loan Outreach Center at NorthTown Mall. Photo by Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
