Bethel SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center Opening

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $3 million in federal disaster loans for Alaskans impacted by Typhoon Halong, which occurred in October of this year. This assistance follows a visit to Anchorage by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, who highlighted available SBA relief. Loeffler emphasized the SBA's commitment to delivering rapid and robust relief, even during a federal shutdown, to support Alaska's recovery under President Trump's leadership. To accelerate recovery, the SBA is expanding on-the-ground support by deploying loss verifiers to remote regions, including hard-to-reach subsistence sites and off-road areas, to perform thorough damage assessments. Additionally, SBA continues to operate Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) in Bethel and Anchorage. These centers provide one-on-one support, answer questions, and guide applicants. The Bethel DLOC, located at Bethel City Hall, opened on December 8 and operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Anchorage DLOC, at the University of Alaska Anchorage, operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. SBA is providing targeted support for storm-hit communities where subsistence living is crucial. Survivors with damage to subsistence camps, drying racks, boats, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), fishing gear, harvest equipment, or other vital subsistence property may qualify for home and personal property loans. Households reliant on subsistence are urged to apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call the Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or visit a DLOC. The deadline for physical property damage applications is December 22, 2025, and for economic injury applications, it is July 22, 2026.