JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Help is on the way for local business owners who lost everything in the recent Pecan Park Flea and Farmers Market fire.
The fire broke out April 6. It took more than 100 firefighters to put the flames out.
The fire either damaged or destroyed more than 70 businesses.
The Small Business Administration issued a physical disaster declaration for the businesses impacted by the fire.
That will allow the business owners to apply for low-interest loans to offset their losses.
Beginning April 28, disaster assistance will be available for impacted businesses from the primary county of Duval, as well as the contiguous counties of Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns.
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“This SBA declaration means affected businesses can apply for loans – not grants,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan W. Koon. “Business owners will still be required to demonstrate the ability to repay the loans in order to receive this particular type of assistance.”
A presidential declaration for Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was not requested because the level of damage sustained during the fire did not reach the required thresholds.
Those seeking assistance may phone the SBA customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing). Applications can be also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.
Applications for assistance may also be made in person at the local Disaster Loan Outreach Center:
Duval County
Highlands Branch Library
1826 Dunn Ave.
Jacksonville, Florida 32218
The DLOC will open Tuesday, April 28, and will close Thursday, May 7. The hours of operation are as follows:
4/28, 5/5 and 4/30 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
4/29, 5/6 and 5/1 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
5/2 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
5/3 and 5/4 closed
5/7 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WJAX
