Numerous residents and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County need urgent support. Recent wildfires and straight-line winds caused tremendous setbacks.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) responded on January 15 with a direct solution.
The SBA opened two Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) on Wednesday. These centers serve small businesses, private nonprofits, and residents and offer face-to-face guidance on federal disaster loans.
One center operates in Reseda, at the Women’s Business Center, and another at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. Both locations started offering services at noon on January 15.
The Reseda site is at 18700 Sherman Way, Suite 112. Visitors can park behind the building on Yolanda Avenue. The office is open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Santa Monica Center, located at 2525 Main Street, Suite 103, will close on Monday, January 20, during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The office welcomes visitors Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Walk-ins receive immediate help. However, visitors may schedule appointments at appointment.sba.gov to reduce waiting times. Both centers focus on personalized assistance.
Local entrepreneurs sometimes feel overwhelmed after a disaster. They juggle lost inventory, damaged property, and uncertain revenue. SBA staff members guide them through vital loan programs.
RECOVERY LOAN OPTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS
Small businesses and private nonprofits may apply for physical disaster loans. These loans cover repairs or replacements of buildings, equipment, inventory, and other essential assets.
Eligible borrowers can request up to $2 million. That figure supports physical restoration. It also includes improvements that enhance resilience.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) help organizations with operating expenses and provide working capital. Businesses without direct property damage still qualify.
Homeowners receive up to $500,000 to fix or replace a primary residence. Homeowners and renters also seek up to $100,000 for personal property. That coverage includes clothing, furniture, vehicles, and appliances.
SBA offers low interest rates. Small businesses borrow at rates as low as 4%. Private nonprofits borrow at 3.625%, while homeowners and renters see 2.563%.
Loan terms extend up to 30 years. After the first disbursement, no payments are made for 12 months, a grace period that gives survivors time to stabilize.
ADDITIONAL MITIGATION AND COORDINATION WITH FEMA
Borrowers may seek an increase of up to 20% over verified damages. They use those extra funds for mitigation. These improvements protect structures from future disasters.
Examples include insulation, weather stripping, and storm window installations. These measures reduce harm from wind and water and safeguard residents and business owners.
SBA’s disaster loan program gained fresh funding from the American Relief Act 2025. This legislation took effect on December 21, 2024. SBA acted quickly and sent over 21,000 commitment letters within six hours.
Additionally, new applicants benefit from this replenished fund. The agency continues issuing offers without delay, and survivors receive prompt decisions on loan options.
Meanwhile, FEMA adjusted its Delivery sequence. Survivors now apply for FEMA grants and SBA loans simultaneously, which helps them maximize their aid.
FEMA grants address immediate and profound needs. SBA loans help survivors fully recover. Both programs complement each other.
No one needs to wait for an insurance claim or FEMA grant decision to apply for an SBA loan. Delaying an application can reduce recovery options. Submitting now ensures every resource remains available.
Applicants can start their disaster loan request at sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955. For relay services, deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals dial 7-1-1.
Email inquiries go to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People often find direct information on local assistance at these channels. Early contact simplifies the process.
Physical damage applications must arrive by March 10, and economic injury applications remain open until October 8. These deadlines ensure the fastest possible help.
Francisco Sánchez Jr., an SBA associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, encourages in-person visits and emphasizes hands-on support for small businesses.
This guidance can dramatically ease the loan application process.
Moreover, the SBA’s Business Recovery Centers provide individualized solutions. Because each case involves unique circumstances, SBA specialists focus on meeting each survivor’s needs.
Furthermore, local partners like the Women’s Business Center and Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce expand the assistance network. They host the BRCs and offer their expertise.
Additionally, interested parties can drop in without an appointment. That flexibility accommodates urgent requests while scheduled visits streamline the experience.
SBA representatives often address insurance questions and encourage people to file insurance claims first. However, insurance does not cover all damage.
SBA loans fill those gaps after insurance pays its portion. This approach fosters complete recovery, as additional funds restore the property to pre-disaster conditions.
Sometimes, survivors worry about overextending debt. However, applying does not force acceptance of a loan. Applicants choose whether to accept an approved offer.
Moreover, early approval locks in options. Survivors can decline if circumstances change. Yet they risk losing eligibility if they wait.
These flexible terms reduce stress for homeowners and business owners. The low interest rates are beneficial. Survivors face many financial burdens, so affordable loans matter.
SBA staff also clarify how loan amounts and terms align with an applicant’s financial condition and customize the process. This personal approach supports stability for each borrower.
Small shop owners in Reseda or Santa Monica often depend on foot traffic. Disasters can halt daily commerce, but immediate assistance helps these shops reopen quickly.
Many nonprofits sustain vital community services. Sudden damage can disrupt food banks, shelters, and educational programs. SBA loans can restore these services faster.
Families also face hardships after storms or fires. They might lose vehicles used for commuting and need extra funds to replace clothing and furnishings.
Fortunately, the SBA covers these scenarios. Individuals can borrow for personal property repairs and benefit from the same payment deferral period.
Interest does not accrue for 12 months. That grace period gives families time to rebuild and eases the strain of immediate expenses.
Long-term planning remains crucial in disaster recovery. Many survivors appreciate the chance to mitigate future risks, and they often see a loan increase as a wise investment.
Mitigation can cut repair costs in future disasters. By installing storm windows or reinforcing roofs, survivors reduce future damage. That foresight pays off.
Meanwhile, SBA continues to share updates on local radio, online platforms, and community events. These outreach efforts expand awareness and encourage more survivors to pursue help.
Local officials welcome the BRC’s presence. It boosts morale among affected residents and brings tangible resources close to where people live.
Interested parties should mark the approaching deadlines. March 10 applies to physical damage. October 8 applies to economic injury.
Time passes quickly during recovery. Survivors often juggle inspections, paperwork, and everyday responsibilities. They should not wait until the final days.
Information moves quickly in disaster zones. The SBA’s website offers user-friendly instructions, and phone agents clarify details for uncertain applicants.
More community members stop by the Reseda or Santa Monica centers daily. They leave with fresh hope and actionable next steps. That practical guidance drives local progress.
Entrepreneurs rely on swift action, and private nonprofits do the same. Families benefit from flexible loan terms and personal connections.
These Business Recovery Centers represent part of a broader approach to community resilience. They embody teamwork between government agencies and local partners. Their presence ensures a smoother path to recovery.
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About the author
Mark Beck is an experienced financial advisor with an MBA from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He specializes in tax, investing, creating a healthy budget, strategizing debt pay-off, developing a retirement roadmap, and creating personalized investing plans. Mark is committed to helping his clients secure their financial futures by providing personalized retirement planning advice.
