SBA Opens Business Recovery Center in Plaucheville for Storm Arthur Recovery

By Avoyelles Today

PLAUCHEVILLE, La. — Businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters in Avoyelles Parish affected by Tropical Storm Arthur now have a local place to receive assistance with disaster loan applications.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened a Business Recovery Center on July 16 at the Plaucheville Community Center, where SBA representatives are available to answer questions, explain available disaster assistance programs and help applicants complete loan applications.

The center serves businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by Tropical Storm Arthur, which brought severe weather to the area June 17–18. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments may also be scheduled in advance.

Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, said the centers provide business owners with face-to-face assistance throughout the recovery process.

Businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations may apply for business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, while homeowners and renters may qualify for loans of up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property such as furniture, clothing, vehicles and appliances.

Applicants may also qualify for an increase of up to 20 percent of their verified physical damage to fund mitigation improvements designed to reduce future storm damage. Eligible improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows.

The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is also available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, that experienced financial losses because of the disaster. These loans may be used for working capital needs such as payroll, fixed debts and accounts payable, even if the business did not sustain physical damage. Agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.625 percent for nonprofits, and 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters, with repayment terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin accruing, and payments are not due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement.

The deadline to apply for physical property damage loans is Aug. 31, 2026. The deadline to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is March 30, 2027.

Business Recovery Center

Applications may also be submitted online at sba.gov/disaster. Additional information is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.