Businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and flooding on Aug. 12, in Catoosa County can now apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to assist Georgians in the declared county applying for SBA disaster loan assistance at Fort Oglethorpe Constitution Hall in Fort Oglethorpe on Friday.
Georgia received the SBA declaration for Catoosa County and the two contiguous counties (Walker and Whitfield) in response to a request made by Governor Brian Kemp’s authorized representative and the Deputy Director of Recovery at the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS), Valarie Grooms. All counties included in the SBA declaration are eligible to apply for Physical Damage disaster loans (homes and businesses) and Economic Injury disaster loans (businesses).
“I know how devastating these storms and floods have been for families and businesses in northwest Georgia,” said GEMA/HS Director Josh Lamb. “The SBA loans are an important resource to help people get back on their feet, and I want to encourage everyone who was affected to visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center and apply. Recovery takes time, but help is available, and we’re committed to standing with these communities every step of the way.”
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://lending.sba.gov. Please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by phone at 1-800-659-2955 for further assistance. The address and hours of operation for the DLOC are provided below.
Fort Oglethorpe Constitution Hall
205 Forrest Rd
Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. 30742
Opening: Friday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
Temporarily Closing: Saturday, Aug. 30 and Monday, Sept. 1, Labor Day
The DLOC will permanently close on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m.
The filing deadline to return applications for Physical Damage disaster loans is Oct. 27. The deadline to return Economic Injury disaster loan applications is May 26, 2026.