Fire damage? Here’s help

Monday (Nov. 3) brought some relief for those who lost their homes or businesses in this summer’s blazes, in the form of a disaster loan outreach center.

After the state’s request to declare Butte County, among other areas, a disaster zone was denied, the federal Small Business Administration took charge and declared the disaster.

The outreach center, located at 7 County Center Drive in Oroville, will offer low-interest loans of up to $200,000 to homeowners, $40,000 to homeowners or renters to replace personal property, and $2 million to businesses or nonprofits. Check www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance for more information or to apply.

The deadline to apply for property-damage loans is Dec. 29. Those wishing to get a loan for economic injury have until July 28, 2009.