FEMA Ends Assistance Thursday, SBA to Remain

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Mahoning County residents have until end-of-business Thursday to receive in-person assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

In July, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration established a disaster recovery center at the Boardman Township Administration Building to assist homeowners and business owners affected by floodwaters from storms in May. After Thursday, FEMA representatives will no longer staff the center and residents who have registered to apply for grants from the organization will have to seek help online, using the FEMA app or by calling 800 621 3362 (TTY 800 462 7585), according to a release.

The SBA will continue to staff the center at 8299 Market St., which will open on Friday at 8 a.m. as a Disaster Loan Outreach Center. It will operate until further notice.

SBA representatives will be available to meet with business owners, homeowners and renters to discuss its disaster loan program, help them apply and close their approved loans. As of Aug. 5, the SBA has approved 72 loans worth nearly $1,845,000 in Mahoning County, including 66 home loans for $1.48 million and six business loans for nearly $365,000.

Since July 12, FEMA has assisted more than 460 visitors at the disaster recovery center and approved $628,000 in grants in Mahoning County, the second-highest amount approved in the 11 counties approved to receive assistance – Montgomery County received the most at $2.9 million. Total FEMA grants throughout the state are some $4 million.

Last week, FEMA and SBA extended the deadline to apply for aid to Sept. 3. For more information on applying for FEMA aid, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800 621 3362. To apply for an SBA disaster loan, visit DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA.

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