Additional disaster loans available in Elkhart County

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- In response to the severe storms and tornado that ripped through Elkhart County on July 15, additional resources are being made available in Elkhart and Porter Counties.

"Businesses and residents in Elkhart, Porter and contiguous counties may qualify for low interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration ..." Indiana Department of Homeland Security officials said. "Beginning Monday, Aug. 12, the SBA and the IDHS will operate Disaster Loan Outreach Centers at separate locations in Elkhart and Porter counties to assist residents in filing claims and answering questions regarding potential assistance to recover from damages."

Elkhart County:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

• Aug. 12 - 27

Elkhart County Health Department

• 608 Oakland Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516
• Aug. 12 Hours: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.
• Aug. 13 - 27 Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET

Porter County:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center

• Aug. 12 - 27

Porter County Library

• 103 Jefferson St. Valparaiso, IN 46383
• Aug. 12 Hours: 11 a.m. 6 p.m.
• Aug. 13 - 27 Hours: M-F 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT

On top of Elkhart and Porter Counties, IDHS officials say these services are available for residents of Jasper, Kosciusko, LaGrange, La Porte, Lake, Marshall, Noble, St. Joseph and Starke Counties in Indiana and even Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph Counties in Michigan.

"SBA Customer Service representatives will be on hand at the DLOC to answer questions about the loan program and help with applications," IDHS officials said. "Additionally, staff from IDHS will help answer questions about the Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund, which can be used to cover losses not eligible for SBA loans."

Those looking to utilize these resources have until Oct. 7 to return applications for physical property damage and those seeking Economic Injury Loans will have until May 7, 2025, to apply.

"Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private nonprofit organizations located in the designated counties that have suffered substantial economic injury from the storm may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)," IDHS officials said. 

Officials say the outreach centers are for those impacted by the July 15 storms only.