An SBA representative addressed the Ashe County Board of Commissioners during the public-comment period to outline disaster-loan options for residents affected by Hurricane Helene and to urge timely applications.

The speaker, who identified themselves as working in the Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resiliency, said the deadline for physical-damage applications is April 27 and encouraged residents to check the SBA portal for application status issues. "So if anybody is trying to get a physical damage disaster recovery loan, they need to apply before then," the representative said.

The representative described two loan programs: physical-damage loans and economic-injury loans. Summary details provided by the SBA speaker included: homeowners' physical-damage loans up to $500,000; business physical-damage loans up to $2,000,000; personal-property assistance for homeowners and renters up to $100,000; economic-injury disaster loans up to $2,000,000 for working capital; and mitigation funding of up to an additional 20% on top of the physical-damage award. The representative said borrowers may obtain SBA funds even if insurance has not yet settled and then repay the loan when insurance pays out. The speaker also said refinancing may be available for owners who lost more than 50% of a property's value and that relocation loans are an option.

The SBA representative noted indicative interest rates mentioned in the briefing: about 2.8% for homeowners, 4% for businesses and about 3.25% for nonprofit organizations. The speaker gave the county clerk a fact sheet and said she had left business cards with commissioners.

The remarks were delivered as public comment; no board action was required. The representative said some applications have been "withdrawn" because applicants were missing information, and urged applicants to follow up via the SBA portal or phone line.