LONG ISLAND CITY — The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a recovery center in the wake of Hurricane Sandy to help local businesses get back on their feet.
The center, which opened at LaGuardia Community College on Friday, is one of four recovery centers that have opened in the city after the killer storm.
It is the only one in Queens.
Jose Vejarano, who works for SBA, said the agency has opened recovery centers in the most heavily affected areas, and “where we see the need.”
Portions of Long Island City were part of a mandatory evacuation zone during Hurricane Sandy. Many businesses sustained significant damage from flood waters when the storm swept through the city on Oct. 29.
SBA staff is also available at the FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Centers to provide assistance to disaster victims, Vejarano said.
The agency’s representatives are on hand at the LIC center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and to assist business owners in completing applications, the SBA said.
“Businesses with physical damages or loss of revenue caused by Hurricane Sandy should consider visiting the center and applying for an SBA disaster business loan,” the agency said in a statement.
Businesses and non-profit organizations are allowed to apply for up to $2 million in property losses.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is December 31, 2012. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2013.
The new center is located at LaGuardia Community College at 30-20 Thomson Avenue, Suite BA02. Hours: Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays: 1 p.m. to 5p.m.
For more information go to: www.sba.gov.
