ATLANTA- In response to Governor Sonny Perdue's most recent appeal on July 1 for disaster assistance for Cherokee County, residents impacted by severe weather and tornadoes may be eligible to receive assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

"I am grateful for the assistance SBA is providing to Georgia residents," said Governor Sonny Perdue.  "Resources are now available for storm victims in Cherokee County so they can get their homes and lives back in order as soon as possible."

Homeowners, renters, landlords and business owners located in these areas are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loan assistance.

"We appreciate our partnership with the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency that worked tirelessly to bring aid to citizens from the day of the event and will continue to do so through this financial aid program period," said Georgia Emergency Management Agency Director Charley English.

SBA has set up a disaster loan assistance office at the Cherokee Recreation Center at 7545 Main Street, Suite 200, in Woodstock, GA. Starting, Thursday, July 31 the center will open at 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

See additional information below:
Cherokee County - Cherokee Recreation Center
7545 Main Street, Suite 200
Woodstock, GA  30188

Opens:   8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday, July 31
Hours:    8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday, August 1
              8 a.m. - 12 noon, Saturday, August 2, 2008 (One Saturday Only)
Open:     8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Closing:  Thursday, August 14 at the close of business
 
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is September 26, 2008.   The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 28, 2009.

Interest rates are as low as 2.687 percent for homeowners and renters, and four percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years.  Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition.

Additional information on the SBA Disaster Assistance Program can be found at http://www.sba.gov/disaster.

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