Disaster loan outreach center open at Bemidji Fire Station No. 2

BEMIDJI — The federal Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest disaster loans for Minnesota businesses, private nonprofits and residents affected by the June 21 severe storms.

The SBA is operating a Disaster Loan Outreach Center through Oct. 18 at Bemidji Fire Station No. 2, 312 Lake Ave. SE.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The center will be closed on Monday, Oct. 13, in observance of Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day.

Businesses and nonprofits can apply for business physical disaster loans and borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal loans up to $100,000, to replace or repair personal property such as cars, clothes, furniture and appliances. Homeowners can also apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

"Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan," stated a news release from Beltrami County Emergency Management.

"If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan."

The SBA's declaration covers the counties of Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington and Roseau. Eligible groups can apply for physical damage loans and economic injury disaster loans.

Applications can be made online or by calling the SBA's customer service center at 800-659-2955. The filing deadline to return applications for personal property damage is Dec. 1. The deadline for economic injury applications is July 2, 2026.

Beltrami County Emergency Management issued an update Wednesday, Oct. 8, notifying the public that the outreach center will operate despite the federal government shutdown.

"Walk-ins are welcome during their hours or you can schedule an appointment on the SBA website," stated the social media post. "Staff do request you arrive before 4 p.m. (or 1 p.m. on Saturday) so your requests can be processed before their closing time."