An Update from Secretary Tanner

On Monday, January 8, 2024, Governor McKee announced that President Biden approved the State's request for federal disaster assistance in Providence County, Rhode Island to support those impacted by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes from September 10 to 13, 2023.
For businesses impacted by the Washington Bridge closure, resources and counselors continue to be available at the Business Recovery Center at Weaver Library (41 Grove Avenue) in East Providence -- which will remain open through January 26, 2024.
Nearly 500 businesses and nonprofits have applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to date. These low interest loans are available at 4% for businesses and 2.375% for nonprofits. Customer service representatives are available to help business owners complete their applications. 

 FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING,TORNADOES September 10 - 13, 2023
FEMA assistance covers those affected in Providence County (https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4753)
SBA assistance covers Providence County, and the continuous counties of Kent and Bristol in RI; Worcester, Norfolk and Bristol.
SBA can assist small businesses with both physical damage and economic injury.
SBA can also assist individual homeowners and renters with physical damage.
SBA will set up a new Business Recovery Center exclusively for this declaration, at a location to be determined.

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?
Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
For more information about available resources, download the SBA Disaster Loans Fact Sheet FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE CLOSURE
SBA's Business Recovery Center at Weaver Library (41 Grove Avenue) in East Providence will remain open through January 26, 2024.
Customer service representatives are onsite to assist businesses and nonprofits.
Low interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to businesses in Providence, Kent, and Bristol counties, at interest rates of 4% for businesses and 2.375% for nonprofits.
For more information, please contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected]

​ **Please Note: The SBA Business Recovery Center in East Providence is only for those businesses impacted by the Washington Bridge closure.**