Happy Holidays!
From left to right: Front: Senior Area Manager Patrick Rodriguez, Program Support Assistant Amber Quattlebaum, Lead Economic Development Specialist Eileen Joyce, Lead Lender Relations Specialist Karen Hoskins, Business Opportunity Specialist Denise Cooper, Deputy District Director Aregnaz Mooradian. Back: District Director Mike Arriola, Program Support Assistant Erin Connell, Business Development Specialist Mark Dahle
On behalf of your SBA North Carolina District Office, I send you best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year.
— District Director Mike Arriola
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U.S. Small Business Administration to Offer Disaster Loans with No Interest and No Payments for First Year
Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the Agency will waive the interest rate for the first year on new disaster loans and extend the initial payment deferment period automatically to 12 months.
New disaster loan borrowers will now have up to one year from the date of the note to begin making payments, instead of the standard five months. Interest on the loan will not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial loan disbursement. Previously, interest begins to accrue on all disbursed loan funds including during the initial payment deferment period. This announcement will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by setting the interest rate to 0% for the first 12 months and reducing the overall amount of accrued interest they must repay.
SBA disaster loans offer individuals and businesses direct access to affordable financial assistance to help fully repair or replace disaster-damaged property. By offering affordable loans with no interest and no payments for the first year, and low fixed-interest rates for the remaining 30-year term, SBA is maximizing disaster survivors’ likelihood of a successful recovery and minimizing further financial hardship.
The extended deferment to 12 months is automatic and loan borrowers do not need to take any additional action. There is no prepayment penalty and borrowers can begin making loan payments during the deferment period if they choose.
The change is effective for all disaster loans approved in response to a disaster declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. The effective date covers SBA disaster loans currently available for Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian declared earlier this year. SBA does not have the authority to forgive interest that has already accrued on disbursed loan funds.
Borrowers who already received a loan for a disaster declared after the September 21 effective date will also receive an automatic extension of their first payment due date to 12 months and 0% interest. SBA will notify eligible borrowers of their loan modification and they will not need to submit a request to receive this automatic benefit.
How to apply
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or by sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Don’t Go into 2023 Without Considering These Small Business Trends
With 2023 just around the corner, you need solutions that account for the latest industry insights. The SBA can help you find them.
It’s difficult to understate all the changes the business landscape has seen in the past few years, and yet entrepreneurs have responded with incredible adaptability. Perhaps that is one of the biggest reasons small business owners are optimistic about the future. In fact, 66% expect revenue increases and more than half plan to expand their business in 2023.
Plenty of challenges and opportunities lie ahead, both in day-to-day operations and in the long-term. It’s impossible to predict exactly what will happen next year. However, having well-informed expectations can help you stay ahead of the curve. Here are the trends the SBA is monitoring as we head into 2023:
Let Your Business Plan Map Your Path to Success
December is National Write a Business Plan Month, and the SBA wants to help you get off on the right foot.
Which Type of Business Plan Is Right for Me?
The good news is there’s technically no wrong way to write a business plan. It all depends on your unique needs and goals, and every business is different. The majority of business plans, however, fall into the following categories:
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Traditional: You want to prove that your business is a valuable investment and that you’ve thought through your concept. A traditional business plan is a great way to accomplish both those objectives. Typically, several pages, and with multiple sections, a traditional, comprehensive business plan may take more time to write, but it’s worth it — especially if you’re seeking financing from traditional lenders and investors. If you are going the traditional route, you’ll need to include some combination of the following elements: executive summary and company description; market analysis; organization and management structure; service or product line description; marketing and sales strategy; and funding requests and financial projections. Be thorough. It will showcase the readiness of your ideas.
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Lean Startup: Perhaps your goal is to launch your business quickly. Maybe you want to leave room to update your plan later on down the line. After all, a business plan isn’t something that you put together and never revisit. It’s a living document that you consult and adapt throughout your business journey. Whatever the reason, a lean startup plan could be the way to go if you prefer a more streamlined approach. This format is defined by summarizing only the most important details, oftentimes into a single page. It includes key elements like partnerships, activities, and resources; value propositions; customer experience, target market, and channels; and cost structure and potential revenue streams. Think about the big picture and refine as you go.
How Can the SBA Help?
The SBA can help you write or tweak a business plan. Our Business Planning Guide is easy to use, high-level, and includes examples. If you prefer more hands-on guidance, work with your nearest SBA resource partner like SCORE, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Small Business Development Centers or Community Navigators.
A PTAC provides technical assistance to businesses interested in selling products or services to federal, state, and local governments. Additionally, PTACs can help your small business:
- Determine if you’re ready for federal contracting
- Help you register in the proper places
- See if you’re eligible for small business certifications
- Assist you in researching past contract opportunities
Enter your zip code to find a PTAC in your area.
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Did you know the U.S. government is the largest single purchaser of goods and services in the world? Learn how to contract with Uncle Sam:
First Look and Live Demo: SBA’s New Veteran Small Business Certification Program, is now on YouTube:
7j Management and Technical Assistance Training
FedMap Growth Program is enrolling for cohorts starting January 2023. FedMap is a powerful training program led by certified coaches. You’ll learn the skills needed to target, pursue, and win more contracts through a coach-guided online curriculum with a community of peers who have already won nearly $2 billion in contract awards since enrolling in FedMap. Training is provided by Coley & Associates, Inc. Registration is required.
SBA Account Login and Registration Portals
Wondering how to access your SBA account login for loans, grants, or contracting? This webpage has details of how to do that for your Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, 7a and 504 loans, Shuttered Venues Operators Grant, and more.
It can help existing borrowers and contractors monitor their loan status, find the pages to set up and manage online payments, and more.
Helpful Links
Disaster (EIDL loans or advances/grants): DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or (833) 853-5638.
SBA PPP Webpage
To report waste, fraud, or abuse: OIG hotline (800) 767-0385 or OIGHotline@sba.gov
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