Ascension businesses eligible for oil spill loans

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced it is making economic injury assistance available for small businesses suffering financial losses resulting from the Deepwater Horizon disaster which began April 20.

Ascension Parish is one of 34 Louisiana parishes and seven Mississippi counties in which these SBA economic injury loans are available.

The SBA’s declaration makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million available to small businesses, at an interest rate of 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. The loans may be used by small businesses that are unable to obtain credit elsewhere to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills because of the oil spill’s impact.

The nearest SBA Business Recovery Center is located in Slidell at 1330 Bayou Lane and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Those in need of assistance may also call the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.