SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s disaster loan outreach center in Lawton is now open to assist people in applying for low-interest federal disaster loans.
The DLOC opened May 13 in the library room of the Patterson Community Center, 4 NE Arlington Drive in Lawton, SBA officials said in a news release. Hours are 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Low-interest disaster loans are available to Oklahoma small businesses, nonprofits and residents to offset physical and economic losses from severe storms and flooding beginning April 19, according to the news release.
The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request from Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 9, according to the news release. The declaration covers Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Kiowa, Stephens and Tillman counties.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business disaster loans, according to the news release. They may borrow up to $2 million to r epair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans. They may borrow up to $100,000 to r eplace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their p hysical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes, according to the news release. Eligible improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit organizations affected by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage, the agency said. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that were not paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.62% for nonprofits and 2.75% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years., according to the news release. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement.
The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on e ach applicant’s financial condition.
SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at Lawton’s disaster loan outreach center to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications. Walkins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Off ice of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”
To apply online, visit sba. gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email disastercustomerservice@ sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return physical damage applications is July 11, and the deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 12, 2026.