News Summary
Residents and businesses in Catoosa County, Georgia, are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans following the severe flash flooding. The U.S. Small Business Administration has set up a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to assist applicants, offering loans for both physical damage and economic injury. Applications can be submitted online or via customer service. The program is also available for neighboring counties, highlighting a comprehensive effort to support recovery from recent natural disasters.
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia – Residents and businesses in Catoosa County, Georgia, can now apply for low-interest disaster loans following the severe flash flooding that occurred on August 12, 2023. The assistance is provided through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which has set up a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) at the Fort Oglethorpe Constitution Hall to facilitate the application process.
The SBA’s assistance extends not only to Catoosa County but also to its neighboring counties, Walker and Whitfield. This initiative is part of a broader disaster declaration initiated by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s representative, Valarie Grooms, who is the Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS).
The types of loans available include Physical Damage disaster loans for homeowners and businesses, as well as Economic Injury disaster loans specifically for businesses. Applications can be submitted online via the Electronic Loan Application feature on the SBA’s website. Residents can also receive assistance by contacting the SBA disaster assistance customer service center via email or by phone at 1-800-659-2955.
Key Loan Details
The deadline to apply for Physical Damage disaster loans is October 27, 2025, while applications for Economic Injury disaster loans must be submitted by May 26, 2026. For business owners whose operations were disrupted, the SBA is making available loans up to $2 million to cover repairs and replace essential machinery or equipment. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 for personal property repairs, and homeowners can access loans of up to $500,000 for necessary home repairs.
Interest rates for these loans range between 3% to 4%, providing a cost-effective way for affected individuals and businesses to rebuild and recover from the flooding.
Continued Support from SBA
To further assist those impacted by the August flooding, the SBA has also announced plans to provide low-interest federal disaster loans for additional flooding that occurred on August 14, 2023. This commitment underscores the SBA’s focus on supporting the recovery efforts of communities adversely affected by natural disasters across Catoosa, Walker, and Whitfield counties in Georgia, as well as Hamilton County in Tennessee.
In Hamilton County, officials have reported damage to approximately 300 structures in areas such as East Ridge and Brainerd. However, there are concerns that the county might not meet the threshold of $13 million in damages required to qualify for federal Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.
Additional Resources for Residents
Local leaders are actively encouraging affected residents to reach out to volunteer and nonprofit organizations that are providing support in the wake of these disasters. In tandem with the SBA’s offerings, the USDA has initiated a national disaster declaration for 11 North Georgia counties due to prolonged drought conditions. The counties included in this declaration are Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield.
Georgia farmers affected by drought can also benefit from USDA FSA loans to cover various recovery needs, including assistance with replacing essential items and refinancing specific loans. The application deadline for these USDA resources is set for July 6, 2024.
The establishment of the DLOC and various loan options underscore a strong response to the challenges faced by those affected by recent natural disasters, aiming to provide the necessary relief as the recovery process unfolds.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NewsChannel 9: Low Interest Loans for Catoosa County Residents
- Local 3 News: SBA Offers Disaster Loans
- WRCB TV: Update on SBA Disaster Loans
- Wikipedia: Disaster Loan
- Google Search: Low Interest Disaster Loans
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
