Thursday, June 11, 2026
SBA offers disaster loans to Southern California businesses affected by Garden Grove hazmat incident
Small businesses and private nonprofits in Orange and four other Southern California counties can apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to help recover from economic losses linked to the Garden Grove hazmat incident.
Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in five Southern California counties, including Orange County, can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to help offset economic losses tied to the Garden Grove hazmat incident that occurred May 21-29, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced.
The disaster declaration was issued after the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services requested federal assistance on June 8. The declaration covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
The SBA’s economic injury disaster loan program provides working capital to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, that suffered financial losses directly related to the incident. The loans are intended to help organizations meet ordinary financial obligations and operating expenses that could not be paid because of the disaster.
Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are generally not eligible for the program, except for aquaculture enterprises.
Eligible applicants may borrow up to $2 million. Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with repayment terms of up to 30 years. Interest will not accrue and payments will not be due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA based on an applicant’s financial condition.
“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, in a statement. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”
To assist applicants, the SBA will open a business recovery center in Garden Grove on June 16. SBA representatives will be available to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process, and provide assistance completing applications.
The center will operate at the Euclid Office Building, 12966 Euclid Street in Garden Grove, on the first floor. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.
Stallings said the centers provide business owners with direct access to specialists who can guide them through the recovery process and connect them with additional resources.
Applications may be submitted online through the SBA's disaster assistance website, sba.gov/disaster. Businesses also may obtain information by contacting the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The deadline to apply for economic injury disaster loans is March 11, 2027.
The disaster declaration was issued after the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services requested federal assistance on June 8. The declaration covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.
The SBA’s economic injury disaster loan program provides working capital to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations, including faith-based groups, that suffered financial losses directly related to the incident. The loans are intended to help organizations meet ordinary financial obligations and operating expenses that could not be paid because of the disaster.
Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are generally not eligible for the program, except for aquaculture enterprises.
Eligible applicants may borrow up to $2 million. Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with repayment terms of up to 30 years. Interest will not accrue and payments will not be due until 12 months after the first loan disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are determined by the SBA based on an applicant’s financial condition.
“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, in a statement. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”
To assist applicants, the SBA will open a business recovery center in Garden Grove on June 16. SBA representatives will be available to answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process, and provide assistance completing applications.
The center will operate at the Euclid Office Building, 12966 Euclid Street in Garden Grove, on the first floor. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center will be closed June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.
Stallings said the centers provide business owners with direct access to specialists who can guide them through the recovery process and connect them with additional resources.
Applications may be submitted online through the SBA's disaster assistance website, sba.gov/disaster. Businesses also may obtain information by contacting the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The deadline to apply for economic injury disaster loans is March 11, 2027.
