Small businesses impacted by the deadly tornadoes that killed six people in Middle Tennessee are eligible for federal government and private grant assistance, as relief continues to pour in.
“Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Tennessee following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to severe storms and tornadoes on December 9, 2023,” said the SBA on its website.
“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Tennessee small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”
The disaster declaration includes Davidson, Dickson, Montgomery, and Sumner counties, making them eligible for Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA, according to the government entity. But EIDL eligibility has been extended to small businesses in other counties outside the disaster zone, including Cheatham, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Macon, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson.
Along with the federal government, some private entities are stepping in to support small businesses affected by the devastating storms.
DoorDash, the food delivery technology company, says affected restaurants in Tennessee can apply for a DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund grant. That program was launched in 2021, and in partnership with Hello Alice and Global Entrepreneurship Network, provides $10,000 per qualified restaurant to “cover operating costs like rent or mortgage repayments, food and beverage inventory, utilities, supplies and materials, and supplier costs.”
“In the aftermath of these devastating tornadoes, we know that many restaurants will face immense challenges on the road to recovery,” said Sueli Shaw, head of social impact at DoorDash, according to Specialty Food. “We hope that these grants will help impacted restaurants and allow them to get back to serving their communities.”
As reported Monday by The Tennessee Star, relief is available for certain homeowners who suffered damage from the storms, too.
Metro Nashville and Davidson County Property Assessor Vivian M. Wilhoite said eligible homeowners can seek no-cost property appraisal adjustments.
“For tornado victims who suffered “substantial damage” to buildings and improvements, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, State law, Tenn. Code Ann. 67-5-603, provides that the Office of the Assessor of Property will assess the value of such property based upon its condition after the tornado. Such assessment value will be as of January 1, 2024. This reduced value will remain on the property until after all repairs have been made to the damaged building(s),” Wilhoite’s office said in a statement.
Tennessee’s celebrities and sports teams have also rallied around those impacted by the tornadoes, which ripped through the state on December 9, killing six people and destroying thousands of structures.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter/X.
Photo “Tornado Damage” by State Farm Insurance.
Government loans to individuals and small businesses are not necessarily helpful after a disaster. They are still loans. The towns and State get grant money. The individual resident and small business has the “opportunity” to borrow money to rebuild, which is added to any debt they already have and must still pay back. Now in recovery mode they have added bills and expenses. And, if you default on the government loan they are not so friendly anymore. This is a sham and I hope anyone who has been impacted by this seriously consider all the implications before taking on additional debt – especially in the turbulent times we live in.
As a former small business owner who survived a natural disaster and offers such as these, I speak from experience. The individual gets F***ed nearly every time by the government agencies.