BERRIEN COUNTY — Residents and businesses in southwest lower Michigan and northern Indiana affected by flooding in February may find some financial relief through low interest loans offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

A Disaster Loan Outreach Center is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, in Berrien Springs, at Berrien RESA, to help applicants determine if they qualify. The center will be closing operations on Tuesday, April 10. A more detailed schedule is listed below. 

“Berrien County Officials have been working closely with the governor’s office and the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division to request this important program opportunity,” said Capt. Rockey Adams, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Coordinator. “It is our hope that residents or business owners that qualify for these loans find some financial relief during their recovery process. We’ve spoken with many people in the county who have had a rough time getting back on their feet, and we hope programs, such as this one, will give them some additional help.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved Gov. Rick Snyder’s request for a physical and economic disaster declaration for four Michigan counties. The declaration means residents and businesses affected by severe flooding in February are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Four Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are scheduled to open on Tuesday, April 3, in Arenac, Berrien, Ingham, and Kalamazoo counties. Those affected by the flooding or heavy rains in the Michigan counties of: Arenac, Berrien, Ingham Kalamazoo; Allegan, Barry, Bay, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Gladwin, Iosco, Jackson, Livingston, Ogemaw, Saint Joseph, Shiawassee and Van Buren; and the contiguous Indiana counties of: La Porte and St. Joseph may be eligible for financial assistance from the U. S. Small Business Administration and are welcome to come to the Loan Outreach Center to apply.

The loan types are Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, and Home Disaster Loans. These loan programs are designed to help businesses, home owners and renters. For those who are unable to physically visit the center may apply online or call into the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center for additional options. For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be open during the following, at the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency – Conference Center, 711 St. Joseph Ave. in Berrien Springs.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 3

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 6

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 9

• 9 a.m. to 4:30 Tuesday, April 10