SBA offers aid to tornado victims

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Small Business Administration is open to help residents and business owners affected by the Christmas Day tornado.

Businesses and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets according to officials.

Sahmi Farkh says his building is one of many damaged by the twister.

?It's just destruction everywhere. A fire place somehow came and hit my building upstairs from another building over there. I'm not sure where it came from,? said Sahmi Farkh moments after the twister hit Tuesday, December 25.

Farkh?s gift shop and salon were both damaged in the storm. When the skies cleared, he and his family began picking up the pieces and had more hope about the future.

?It looked really bad before, because we had rust falling from the ceiling but people have come and fixed things. So it looks back like it was, thank God,? Farkh said.

It?s just the beginning for Farkh as he pieces his building back together. He still has a lot of work to do and is hoping to open back up sometime in the near future.

Farkh isn?t going to be utilizing the SBA to help his business get back up and running, but others are taking advantage of the SBA.

Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) by clicking here .

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 11, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 10, 2013.

The Mobile SBA address location is:

Western Administrative Complex
4851 Museum Drive, Mobile

• Hours: Tuesday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Closed: Sunday, Jan. 20 - Monday, Jan. 21 in observance of MLK Day
• Closing: Thursday, Jan. 24 at close of business

FOX10 News Reporter Candace Murphy will have more on FOX10 News at 5 p.m.

Source: http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/tornado-victims-seek-help

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