SBA opens East Wenatchee center to help Chelan Hills Fire survivors apply for loans

EAST WENATCHEE — Residents, businesses and nonprofits hurt by the Chelan Hills Fire can now get in-person help applying for federal disaster loans at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in East Wenatchee.

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center there at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1. SBA representatives will answer questions and help with applications from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 100 19th St. NW. The center will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, for Columbus Day. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov.

The low-interest loans became available after the SBA issued a disaster declaration for the July 4-10 fire, which burned in the Chelan Hills area of Douglas County. The declaration, made in response to a Sept. 18 request from Gov. Bob Ferguson, covers Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Okanogan counties.

Under the program:

• Businesses and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets.
• Homeowners may borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $100,000 to replace personal property such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances.
• Applicants may qualify for up to 20% more, based on verified physical damage, for improvements that reduce the risk of future damage.
• Economic injury loans for working capital are available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofits, including faith-based organizations, even if they had no physical damage. The SBA cannot lend to farmers, ranchers or other agricultural producers, except aquaculture businesses.

Interest rates start at 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. No interest accrues and no payments are due until 12 months after the first disbursement, the agency said.

"At these centers, our specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery.

The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is Nov. 23. The deadline for economic injury loans is June 22, 2027.

Applications are also accepted online at sba.gov/disaster. For help, call (866) 722-4357 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 7-1-1 for relay services.