SBA loan office expands hours in Laguna

Loan advisors with the Small Business Administration will be at the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce for three more days a week than previously announced, according to City Manager John Pietig.

Loans are available for homeowners, renters and small business owners or nonprofit agencies that sustained damages from the severe winter storms and mud flows from Dec. 17 through Jan. 4.

The loan consultants will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays until further notice. The loan advisors were previously stationed at the Laguna chamber two days a week.

Homeowners may obtain a maximum of $200,000 to repair or replace damaged real estate and $40,000 for personal property. Renters are eligible for $40,000 to replace personal property lost in the disaster. The deadline to apply for assistance is April 4.

Small businesses and nonprofit organizations that sustained financial hardships from the disaster may be eligible for a maximum of $2 million for working capital to pay obligations until they can resume normal operations, according to the administration. The loan advisors will meet one-on-one with victims to help them with paperwork and answer questions, according to the SBA.

Another South Orange County SBA disaster loan service center has been set up in the Silverado Community Center, Building A, 27641 Silverado Canyon Road. The same hours of operation apply.

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is at 357 Glenneyre St. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call (800) 659-2955 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.