Shapiro Administration Announces Low-interest Loans Available after Fire Destroys Shopping Center in Monroe County

PA Emergency Management Agency    July 14, 2023 | 2:09 PM

HARRISBURG, July 14 – Governor Josh Shapiro announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his recent request to make financial aid available to businesses after a devastating fire destroyed the popular Fountain Court Shopping Center in Monroe County on June 25, 2023.

"My heart goes out to the Bartonsville community and to the small businesses that called this shopping center home," said Governor Shapiro. "I want to thank the first responders and emergency personnel who responded to this devastating fire and worked to keep Pennsylvanians safe. The Shapiro Administration stands with Monroe County and is committed to helping the small business community rebuild – that's why we worked with the federal government to open up access to these low interest loans to ensure small businesses can recoup their losses and rebuild stronger than ever."

The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program provides low-interest loans for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations. The SBA can provide up to $2 million to help businesses meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. 

More than a dozen businesses were affected by the fire and will be eligible to seek financial assistance. The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay. View details about the SBA's disaster declaration for the Fountain Court Mall Fire.

Applicants may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Disaster Declaration #18015. 

Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155

The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is April 15, 2024.