Six Area Centers Open for Small Business Loans

The Valley Economic Development Center, together with Valley area chambers of commerce, has opened six centers to help business owners seeking earthquake relief get loans from the federal Small Business Administration.

So far, the SBA has received more than 42,000 requests for disaster-loan applications, according to John J. Rooney, VEDC president.

The “mini-business disaster registration centers” are in addition to existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sites, where business owners can also apply for SBA disaster loans in person or by calling FEMA at (800) 525-0321.

Once business owners have registered at one of the VEDC centers, they can enroll in a series of workshops being conducted by the VEDC and its North Los Angeles Small Business Development Center. The workshops offer loan applicants one-on-one assistance with filling out forms.

The VEDC and the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley are operating the disaster centers out of chamber offices at 14540 Victory Blvd., Suite 100, Van Nuys; 5019 Lankershim Blvd., Universal City/North Hollywood; 21600 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills; 21943 Plummer St., Chatsworth; 11243 Glenoaks Blvd., Suite 6, Pacoima, and 5191 S. Brand Blvd., San Fernando.

Business owners should call the chambers for appointments.