Jackson County declared a Disaster Area

The Small Business Administration has declared Jackson County (along with Calhoun, Washington, Bay, GUlf and Walton Counties) a disaster area.

The declaration was issued Wednesday by the Small Business Administration (SBA) due to damage sustained in the region during the February 21-22 flooding. The declaration means that residents and property owners who were affected by the flooding can apply for specific assistance from the SBA.

Assistance currently available includes loans at rates as low as 2.75% for homeowners and 4% for business owners if they suffered losses during the floods and need help rebuilding their homes or businesses. Renters are eligible to apply.

At present the only SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center opened in the area is at the Springfield City Hall in Bay County. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will also be open this Saturday only from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The center will not be open any other Saturdays and will close permanently in two weeks on March 27th.

If you need for information you can call the SBA's toll free customer service center at 1-800-659-2955. To read the SBA's fact sheet on eligibility, please click here.