Disaster loan outreach center set up in Tyrone to help with flood recovery

Assistance available at borough building

TYRONE -- A disaster loan outreach center has been set up at the Tyrone Borough building's upstairs conference room to help residents and business owners recover from the July 5-6 flash flooding incident, Mayor John Harlow said.

Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency will be on hand every day, except Sundays, through Aug. 13 to help those who have been impacted apply for assistance.

The hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

According to Harlow, residents should start with the Small Business Administration to see whether they qualify for any of its disaster assistance loans before checking with PEMA to see whether you're eligible for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.

The Small Business Administration offers low-interest, long-term disaster recovery loans to renters, homeowners, small businesses and nonprofit organizations, said public affairs specialist Riley Oates.

"Our physical damage loans are up to $100,000 in personal property loss, which includes vehicles for renters and homeowners," Oates said, adding the loans can cover damage to a basement freezer, a laundry washer, furnace, boiler or a hot water tank.

For homeowners, the Small Business Administration also covers up to $500,000 in damage to their home, Oates said.

For small businesses and nonprofit organizations, the administration will cover up to $2 million in physical damages to real estate, machinery, equipment, supplies and inventory.

"That's a combined cap with our economic injury disaster loan program," Oates said, noting that the offer is only for small businesses and nonprofits.

The economic injury disaster loan program, on the other hand, is a working capital loan for ordinary and necessary financial expenses, Oates said, adding it's used for things like rent, utilities and "any kind of recurring expense that exists whether you are bringing in revenue or you're not."

"It's a really great opportunity for small business owners, as well as disaster survivors, to get some additional funds to help with the recovery," Oates said.

According to Oates, loans are available for up to 30 years at 2.875% interest for homeowners and renters; 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations; and 4% for businesses. Interest does not begin accruing, and payments are not due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement, he said.

"For anybody who is waiting on an insurance claim, we recommend that they apply with the Small Business Administration as they're waiting for their claim to be processed," Oates said, noting people can get the loan at no cost, get the repairs immediately and then use the insurance claim money to pay the loan back.

People should bring their government-issued ID and their most recent tax return with them to the outreach center, Oates said. Officials will also need a phone number, email address, monthly income and expenses and any insurance information, he said.

The same information is needed for businesses. The only requirement is the owner must be the person coming in to apply, Oates said, stressing it can't be a manager or a designated representative.

The deadline to apply for the physical damage loans is Monday, Sept. 21. The deadline for the economic injury disaster loan applications is April 21, 2027.

People who are unable to visit the outreach center at the borough's municipal office by Aug. 13 can apply online through the Small Business Administration's portal at lending.sba.gov.

DARP grant available

To qualify for the Disaster Recovery Assistance Program, Blair County applicants must have a primary residence within Altoona, Antis Township, Logan Township, Snyder Township, Tyrone Borough. Warriors Mark Township residents in Huntingdon County are also able to apply for the program, Harlow said.

Applicants must also have suffered damage from the flooding, meet household income requirements of less than 500% of the federal poverty guidelines and either receive income-based government assistance -- such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Medicaid benefits -- or have been denied a disaster loan through the Small Business Administration, according to Harlow.

"If they meet criteria from damage to their homes, they can receive up to a one-time grant of $20,000 per household," Harlow said, adding it assists with home repairs, temporary housing and essential personal property.

Applications are available online through the PEMA website and must be submitted by Wednesday, Oct. 21. Additional information, including a link to register and apply, can be found at www.pa.gov/services/ready/post-disaster-assistance.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.