Politics & Government

Old Saybrook FEMA Office Closing; Guilford And East Haven Offices Will Shift To SBA DLOCS

SBA disaster loans up to $200,000 are available; Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000; Businesses and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that seven of the state’s eleven FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) will soon be transitioning into Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) at their current locations.  Because of low volume, the Danielson, Storrs-Mansfield and Old Saybrook DRCs will permanently close, and the Greenwich DRC will move to a new location in Bridgeport.

SBA disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.  Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.  SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

So far, SBA has approved more than $136,000 in low-interest disaster loans to Connecticut residents and businesses that suffered damage from Tropical Storm Irene.  In addition, FEMA has approved $3.2 million in individual assistance in the state.

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In the aftermath and destruction caused by Tropical Storm Irene earlier this month, the State of Connecticut and FEMA promptly opened 11 DRCs throughout the state to provide personal assistance and disaster information to individuals and businesses affected by the storm.  Governor Malloy said that as needs transition, the services provided at these offices are moving into a new phase.

“At this stage in the recovery process, the emphasis for assistance is to meet the long-term needs of state residents affected by Tropical Storm Irene,” Governor Malloy said, in a prepared statement.  “The transition from FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers into SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers is an important step in the coordinated efforts of the state, SBA and FEMA to meet the needs of Connecticut residents and businesses.”

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  • At 10 a.m. on September 26, seven of the previously established FEMA DRCs located in East Haven, Farmington, Guilford, Groton, North Haven, Orange, and Torrington will transition into SBA DLOCs.  All of the DLOCs will permanently close on October 6, except the center in East Haven, which will remain open through October 13.
  • The previously opened DRC in Greenwich will move to Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport and will open at noon on September 26 and remain open until 7 p.m. that day.  Its hours after opening day are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and will remain open until October 6.  It will continue to serve as a FEMA DRC.
  • Three previously opened DRCs in Danielson, Storrs-Mansfield, and Old Saybrook will close permanently in the coming days.  The Danielson and Storrs-Mansfield DRCs will close at 7 p.m. on September 23, while the Old Saybrook DRC will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27.

As the seven DRCs transition into DLOCs, representatives from the SBA will be available to assist individuals and business owners with loan applications, answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan programs, explain the application process, help individuals and businesses complete their applications, and close approved disaster loans.  The deadline for filing an application for physical damage to homes or businesses is November 3.  The deadline for businesses with economic injury is June 4, 2012.  Information concerning the SBA can be obtained by dialing 800-659-2955.  For those with speech or hearing disabilities, the TTY number is 800-877-8339.

FEMA representatives will continue to be on hand at the seven DLOCs to answer questions regarding disaster assistance programs.  To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, disaster survivors should first register with FEMA online anytime at www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for TTY.  These toll-free telephone numbers will operate 7 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily.

Locations and hours of the seven FEMA DRCs transitioning into SBA DLOCs:

North Haven

Gateway Community College, Room 117- Cafeteria

88 Bassett Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Farmington

Tunxis Community College, Cyber Café

271 Scott Swamp Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Groton

Groton Senior Center

102 Newtown Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Torrington

Meeting Room

111 Water Street

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday- Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

Orange

High Plains Community Center, Probate Court hearing room

525 Orange Center Road

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 6

East Haven

The Beach House, East Haven Town Beach

160 Cosey Beach Avenue

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday, Oct. 13 

Guilford

Guilford Police Department, Community Room

400 Church Street

Transitions to DLOC, Monday, Sept. 26

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday – Friday

Closes: Thursday Oct. 6

Location and hours of the FEMA DRC moving from Greenwich to Bridgeport:

Bridgeport

Housatonic Community College

900 Lafayette Blvd.

Open: Noon – 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26

Thereafter open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 1 and Monday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6


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