(ATLANTA) – Businesses and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding on April 2, 2024, in Dekalb, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Rockdale, and Walton Counties can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to assist Georgians in the declared counties applying for SBA disaster loan assistance at noon on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency.

Georgia received the SBA declaration for Rockdale County and the five (5) contiguous counties in response to a request made by Governor Brian Kemp’s authorized representative and the Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), Valarie Grooms. All counties included in the SBA declaration are eligible to apply for Physical Damage disaster loans (homes and businesses) and Economic Injury disaster loans (businesses).

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://lending.sba.gov/. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance. The address and hours of operation for the DLOC are provided below.

Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency
3500 East Fairview Road
Stockbridge, Georgia 30218

Opening: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Closed on Saturday, April 20, 2024, ONLY), Closed every Sunday.

The DLOC will permanently close on May 2, 2024, at 4 p.m.

The filing deadline to return applications for Physical Damage disaster loan is June 11, 2024. The deadline to return Economic Injury disaster loan applications is January 13, 2025.

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As part of the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency collaborates with local, state and federal governments in partnership with private sector and non-governmental organizations to protect life and property against man-made and natural emergencies. GEMA/HS’s Ready Georgia website and preparedness campaign provide Georgians with the knowledge needed to effectively prepare for disasters. Go to gema.georgia.gov/plan-prepare/ready-georgia for information on developing a custom emergency plan and Ready kit.