SULPHUR, Okla. (OBV) – State Chamber of Oklahoma members, the U.S. Small Business Administration and Walmart are all contributing to help businesses and community members impacted by the deadly tornadoes that struck Oklahoma last week.
Four people were killed, around 300 people were injured and several businesses and homes were destroyed by tornadoes that tore through Hughes, Love and Murray counties on the night of April 27 and into the early morning hours of April 28.
The tornadoes destroyed 136 homes and caused major damage to 58 homes. Several businesses were either destroyed or badly damaged, many in Downtown Sulphur.
The State Chamber delivered bottled water, diapers and other helpful supplies donated by Chamber members to help Oklahomans who were devastated by the tornadoes.
“The devastating storms last weekend were truly horrific. The loss of life was tragic and devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. To see so many businesses destroyed by the tornadoes, especially the small ones in Downtown Sulphur, really hit close to home for the Chamber,” said Brent Skarky, senior vice president of communications for The State Chamber. “Our staff felt like we needed to do something to help. We took up collections all week at the office, and delivered those supplies to those in need in South Central Oklahoma. We know how much blood, sweat and tears go into starting and running a business. To have something level it to the ground must be devastating. It’s hard to imagine what those business owners and employees are going through. We want to help them, if even in a small way, get back up and running.”
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed $250,000 in grants and product donations to the tornado-ravaged Oklahoma communities, as well as areas in Iowa and Nebraska that were recently hit by tornadoes.
An Operation Operation BBQ Relief mobile kitchen and ITDRC WiFi hotspot and charging station, all funded by Walmart, were set up at a Walmart store in Sulphur.
The U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center opened a SBA Business Recovery Center in Sulphur on Friday to provide services to businesses impacted by severe storms, straight‑line winds, tornadoes and flooding.
“Due to the severe property damage and economic losses inflicted on Oklahoma businesses, we want to provide every available service to help get them back on their feet,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “The center will provide a one-stop location for businesses to access a variety of specialized help. SBA customer service representatives will be available to meet individually with each business owner.”
The recovery center is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SBDC business advisors will provide business assistance to help small business owners re-establish their operations, overcome setbacks caused by the disaster and plan for their future. Services include assessing business working capital needs, evaluating the business’ strength, cash flow projections and reviewing options with business owners to help them evaluate their alternatives and make decisions appropriate to their situation, according to an SBA news release.
Businesses of any size and private nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The loans cover losses that are not fully covered by insurance or other recovery relief.
SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofits meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available to a business even if it did not incur property damage.
Interest begins accruing 12 months after the first disaster loan disbursement. Loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement, according to SBA officials.
Business owners and residents can receive help from SBA at disaster recovery centers, or they can apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more disaster assistance information. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for property damage is July 1, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Jan. 30, 2025.
