WINDSOR – A disaster declaration has been approved for Bertie County in the wake of the severe storms and flooding on Sept. 21.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the declaration for Bertie as well as the contiguous counties of Chowan, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Northampton and Washington.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, SBA staff will open a mobile recovery disaster unit in the parking lot of the Bertie County Department of Social Services office located at 110 Jasper Bazemore Avenue in Windsor.

That mobile unit will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15. The unit is scheduled to close at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Loan applications will be taken for physical damage for homeowners and businesses and non-profits.  Loan applications will also be taken for economic injury for businesses, non-profits and small agricultural cooperatives.

Interest rates will vary per class: 1.563% to 3.125% for homeowners; and 4.000% to 6.250% for  businesses.

There is a physical loan application deadline of Dec. 5, 2016 and an economic Injury application deadline of July 5, 2017.

Applications may be mailed to : US Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76155

For further information, contact A. Escobar Office of Disaster Assistance, US Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Suite 6050, Washington, DC 20416 / phone (202-205-6734.