07.24.23
SBA Helps Hoosiers Build Back Stronger Increase Loan to Mitigate Future Disaster Losses
Michael Lampton, U.S. Small Business Administration
Indiana residents and businesses approved for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business
Administration (SBA) as a result of severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from March 31 through
April 1, 2023, have two years from the date of their loan approval to request an increase to prevent or
minimize damages from similar disasters in the future. Mitigation funds from the SBA are an affordable
way for survivors to rebuild smarter, stronger, and pay for improvements that protect life and property.
“The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant
benefit of SBA’s disaster loan program,” said SBA Associate Administrator Francisco Sanchez, Jr.
“I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists
for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding.”
Businesses and homeowners may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20 percent of their physical
damages, as verified by the SBA, to cover the cost of improvements. Examples of mitigation
improvements may include hurricane-rated garage doors, hurricane shutters, or pressure-rated
windows. Also, mitigation can be used to install a safe room or storm shelter built to Federal Emergency
Management Agency guidelines. To learn more about mitigation options visit sba.gov/mitigation.
For more information, call 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability,
please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or email
DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and ask about increasing your SBA disaster loan for mitigation
purposes.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the
only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the
SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to
start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an
extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn
more, visit www.sba.gov
