SBA Launches Business Recovery Centers in Arizona and Tribal Nations to Aid Small Businesses Affected by Fires

SBA Launches Business Recovery Centers Following Arizona & Utah Wildfires

August 26, 2024

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the immediate establishment of Business recovery Centers (BRCs) to aid Small Businesses and Private Nonprofit Organizations impacted by the Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires that began on July 4th. These centers will provide critical support to organizations experiencing economic hardship due to the devastating blazes.

Disaster Declaration Expands Assistance

the Federal disaster declaration encompasses several counties in Arizona, including Coconino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo, and Yavapai.It also extends to Kane and San juan counties in Utah. Numerous tribal nations within these regions are also included in the declaration, ensuring broad access to assistance. These include the Fort Mohave Indian Tribe, Havasupai Tribe, and many others, maximizing the reach of the recovery effort.

Business Recovery Center Locations and Hours

SBA representatives will be available at various locations to assist with the disaster loan request process. Walk-ins are welcome; though, appointments can be scheduled in advance through appointment.sba.gov. Below is a detailed schedule of locations and operating hours:

Location	Address	Dates & Hours
Navajo Nation LeChee Chapter House	Off Coppermine rd., Community of Lechee, AZ 86040	Opens sept. 5, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Fri-Sat)
Coconino County Health and Human Services	2625 N.King St., Flagstaff, AZ 86004	Opened aug. 25, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Tue)
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort	22181 Resort Blvd., Flagstaff, AZ 86004	Opens Sept. 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Tue)
Fredonia Town Office	25 N. Main St., Fredonia, AZ 86022	Opened Aug. 25, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon-Fri)
Marble Canyon Trading Post	US-89A,Marble Canyon,AZ 86036	Opens Sept. 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.(mon-Tue)
Hyatt Place	1126 N. navajo Dr.,Page,AZ 86040	Opens Sept. 2, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Tue-Thu)
Moenkopi Legacy inn and Suites	1 Legacy Ln.,Tuba City,AZ 86045	Opens Aug. 27, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Wed-Fri)
Town Town Hall	845 Mustang Dr., Showing, AZ 86023	Opens Sept.4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.(Thu-Fri)
Williams Senior Center	850 W. Grant Ave., Williams, AZ 86046	Opens Sept. 2,10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Tue-Wed)

“SBA’s Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster,” stated Chris stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These resources provide owners a place to meet with specialists who can guide them through the application process for disaster loans.”

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) Available

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offers financial assistance to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and select private nonprofit organizations. These loans are intended to cover working capital needs resulting from the fires, even for those businesses that didn’t experience physical damage. Funds can be used for essential expenses such as fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable. Interest rates are attractively low, starting at 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits, with repayment terms extending up to 30 years. Interest accrual and payments are deferred for 12 months following the initial loan disbursement.

Did You No? The SBA prioritizes loans to businesses in specially designated areas and to those with significant economic impact.

Applicants can apply online at sba.gov/disaster or contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at [phone]. For those with hearing impairments, telecommunications relay services are available by dialing 7-1-1.

The application deadline for Economic Injury disaster Loans is May 18, 2026.

Understanding Disaster Loan Programs

Disaster loans are a critical component of post-disaster recovery,providing financial oxygen to businesses struggling to rebuild. The SBA’s EIDL program, in particular, is designed to address the often-overlooked economic consequences of disasters, offering a lifeline to organizations facing reduced revenue and increased financial strain. Businesses should proactively assess their eligibility and prepare documentation to expedite the application process.

Pro Tip: gather financial statements, tax returns, and damage assessments before starting your application to streamline the loan process.

Frequently Asked Questions about SBA Disaster Loans

• What is an Economic injury Disaster Loan? EIDLs provide working capital to help businesses overcome temporary revenue losses due to a declared disaster.
• Who is eligible for an SBA Disaster loan? Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits located in a declared disaster area may be eligible.
• what can a Disaster Loan be used for? Funds can cover essential operating expenses like payroll, accounts payable, and fixed debts.
• What are the interest rates on SBA Disaster Loans? Rates are currently as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits.
• what is the deadline to apply for a Disaster Loan? the deadline to return economic injury applications is May 18, 2026.

Do you think your local business could benefit from this assistance? Share this article with anyone affected by the recent wildfires!

What specific types of physical property damage are covered under the Physical Disaster Loans?

Immediate Disaster Assistance for Arizona Businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the opening of Business Recovery Centers (brcs) across Arizona and within tribal Nations impacted by the recent devastating wildfires. These centers are designed to provide crucial support to small businesses, offering a centralized location for accessing disaster loan assistance and navigating the recovery process.This initiative directly addresses the urgent need for small business disaster relief following widespread property damage and economic disruption.

Understanding the Disaster Loan Program

The SBAS disaster loan program is a vital resource for businesses of all sizes, as well as private nonprofit organizations, and homeowners. Here’s a breakdown of the key loan types available:

Physical Disaster Loans: These loans cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or destroyed physical property – buildings, inventory, equipment, and other assets. Maximum loan amounts are up to $2 million.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): EIDLs provide working capital to help businesses overcome temporary loss of revenue due to the disaster. Funds can be used for operating expenses like payroll, rent, and utilities. Maximum EIDL amounts are $2 million.

Homeowners disaster Loans: Available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.

Renters Disaster Loans: Available to renters to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Significant Note: Interest rates are resolute by the SBA and can vary based on the type of loan and the borrower’s creditworthiness.

Business Recovery Center Locations & Services

The SBA is strategically placing BRCs in areas most affected by the fires, ensuring accessibility for impacted business owners. Here’s a current list (as of August 26, 2025 – subject to change, check SBA.gov for the most up-to-date data):

Phoenix, AZ: [Address & Contact Info] – Offering on-site loan submission assistance, document preparation support, and one-on-one counseling.

Flagstaff, AZ: [Address & Contact Info] – Focused on supporting businesses in northern Arizona impacted by the wildfires.

Navajo Nation (Window Rock, AZ): [address & Contact Info] – Dedicated support for tribal businesses navigating the disaster loan process.

Hopi Reservation (Kykotsmovi,AZ): [Address & Contact Info] – Providing culturally sensitive assistance to Hopi business owners.

Services offered at BRCs include:

Assistance with completing SBA disaster loan applications.

Guidance on required documentation.

Answers to questions about the disaster loan program.

Referrals to other resources, such as state and local recovery programs.

One-on-one counseling with SBA representatives.

Eligibility Requirements for SBA Disaster Loans

To be eligible for an SBA disaster loan, businesses must meet certain criteria:

1. physical Presence: The business must be located in a declared disaster area (Arizona counties currently declared for fire-related disasters).
2. Damage Assessment: The business must have suffered physical damage or economic injury as a direct result of the fires.
3. Size Standards: the business must meet the SBA’s size standards for small businesses (generally, fewer than 500 employees for most industries).
4. Creditworthiness: Applicants must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan.
5. No Alternative Credit: Applicants must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

Applying for a Disaster Loan: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for an SBA disaster loan can seem daunting, but here’s a simplified guide:

1. Register with FEMA: Before applying for an SBA loan, register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at DisasterAssistance.gov. This is a prerequisite for SBA disaster assistance.
2. Gather Documentation: Collect essential documents, including:

Tax returns (for the past three years)

Financial statements (profit and loss statements, balance sheets)

Insurance policies

Documentation of damage (photos, repair estimates)

Ownership documents

1. Complete the SBA Loan Application: applications can be submitted