December 20, 2023
Albany, NY

Governor Hochul Announces U.S. Small Business Administration to Offer Federal Assistance to Businesses in Brooklyn Affected by August 20 Fire

U.S. Small Business Administration to Provide Low-Interest Loans to Eligible Small Businesses and Other Organizations in Brooklyn

Devastating Five-Alarm Fire Injured Three Children and Several Firefighters and Caused Extensive Damage to Nearby Businesses

Loan Applications Available Online Here

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer federal assistance to New Yorkers in Brooklyn and contiguous counties following a devastating, five-alarm fire at a storefront on August 20 which caused extensive damage to nine businesses in the area with heavy smoke and flames. Businesses and other eligible organizations are now eligible to apply for low-interest loans to aid in their recovery following the fire. Under SBA rules, directly impacted businesses in counties contiguous to Brooklyn, including New York (Manhattan), Queens, and Richmond (Staten Island), are also eligible to access these loans.

“The fire on August 20 was devastating for local businesses and for Williamsburg as a whole,” Governor Hochul said. “These low-interest SBA loans offer businesses a chance to rebuild and to restore these vibrant community institutions.”

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is a working capital loan that helps small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. Loan terms can be set up to 30 years with a cap of $2M. To qualify for SBA disaster loans, borrowers must have a credit history acceptable to the SBA, must show the ability to repay the loan, and demonstrate a direct impact to the business as a result of the fire.

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Multiple Brooklyn businesses were completely destroyed by a five alarm fire at the end of August and have struggled to re-establish themselves in the months following. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and our federal partners, business owners in these areas will now have access to low-interest loans that will play a critical role in their recovery.”

Business Recovery Center

Beginning Sunday, December 24 at 10:00 a.m., the SBA will open a Business Recovery Center at the location below to help New Yorkers apply in-person for assistance. Customer Support Representatives will be available to assist applicants with completing the application and answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program.

United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn

32 Penn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours of Operation:

  • Sunday, Dec. 24 (opening date): 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  • Monday, Dec. 25: CLOSED
  • After Dec. 25: Monday–Thursday 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Closed Saturday; Open Sunday 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

The center will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2023 and on Monday, January 1, 2024. The center will permanently close on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 4.00 p.m.

Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected]. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155

The filing deadline to return applications is September 19, 2024.

Contact the Governor’s Press Office

Contact us by phone:

Albany: (518) 474-8418
New York City: (212) 681-4640

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