BAMBERG, S.C. — Three months after the EF-2 tornado hit downtown Bamberg, the US Small Business Administration's (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) will be closing its doors at 4 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024.
The tornado struck downtown Bamberg around 2:45 p.m. January 9, with winds up to 125 mph, causing significant damage. Gov. Henry McMaster requested disaster relief from the SBA for Bamberg County and adjacent Allendale, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, and Orangeburg counties, and in March, the SBA set up the DLOC at the Bamberg County Courthouse Annex at 1234 North St.
Residents and business owners with property damage as a result of the tornado are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans.
According to SBA’s South Carolina District Director Richard White, “Businesses and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.” Additionally, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available for businesses regardless of whether they suffered any physical property damage.
For homeowners, loans up to $500,000 is available to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate and up to $100,000 is available for homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
The DLOC hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, with customer service representatives on site to assist residents and business owners with the SBA application process. DLOC will permanently close 4 p.m. Friday.
Bamberg County residents with any questions regarding the SBA loan application process should not hesitate or delay in seeking advice from the SBA professionals.
