SBA briefing: Economic injury loans available to Saint Charles Parish businesses after recent storms

Jeff Dewey, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, told the council the parish is eligible for economic-injury assistance related to recent tropical-storm events even though Saint Charles was not one of the initial primary presidential disaster-declaration parishes. "What this parish is eligible for is economic downturn assistance, economic injury," Dewey said, and he described how EIDL working-capital loans can help small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofits meet ordinary financial obligations after a disaster.

Dewey clarified that the parish was contiguous to some of the primary declared parishes and that the presidential declaration had been amended to add certain parishes; he noted the deadline for Saint Charles Parish applicants is March 30, 2027 and encouraged council members and staff to help share the application information. He emphasized the program helps business continuity rather than homeowner recovery and encouraged residents with affected businesses or nonprofits to contact SBA staff for guidance.

Council members asked about applicant eligibility and deadlines; Dewey said details and application worksheets are available and that he would provide contact information and the informational sheet distributed to the council packet.