LEWISTON — In the wake of the police-ordered closures of commerce following the Oct. 25 mass shootings at Schemengees Bar & Grille and Just-In-Time Recreation, the Small Business Administration responded to a call for help from Gov. Janet Mills, declaring a economic injury disaster.
With the declaration, the SBA made available up to $2 million in low-interest, long-term loans to businesses and nonprofit organizations in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, and included Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec and Oxford counties.
The SBA established a Business Recovery Center initially at the LA Metro Chamber of Commerce in November, moving to the Lewiston Armory at 65 Central Ave. in December. That field office is closing Jan. 12, although businesses can apply for the loans through Aug. 6.
According to James Accurso of the SBA, as of Tuesday:
• 59 business and nonprofit owners have applied for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
• 24 applications are in process.
• Two economic injury disaster loans have been approved for $25,400
Businesses can apply directly on the SBA’s secure website, sba.gov/disaster, declaration 20075.
The Business Recovery Center at the Lewiston Armory is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is staffed by SBA employees to answer questions and help businesses file their applications.
The center will close at 4 p.m. Jan. 12.
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