Recovery Center Aiding Flood-Damaged Businesses Opens In Oxford

OXFORD, CT — A Business Recovery Center providing in-person assistance to businesses seeking to apply for federal disaster aid for damages incurred due to the severe flooding last month has opened in Oxford. A similar center has also opened in Monroe.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened the centers at Oxford Town Hall and the Monroe Police Department. They are staffed by SBA customer service representatives who can assist business owners in completing their disaster loan applications, accept documents and provide updates on an application’s status, according to the office of Gov. Ned Lamont.

Both locations are open Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. Walk-ins are accepted; however, it is encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by visiting appointment.sba.gov. In addition to applying in person, business owners may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

"Any business that experienced losses from this extreme flooding are strongly encouraged to meet in person with an SBA representative who can guide them through the process on the loans and programs that are now available to them as a result of the major disaster declaration we received last week," Lamont said in a written statement. "We are working with FEMA to identify similar in-person centers that will provide assistance to homeowners seeking to apply for relief, and we should have an additional announcement on those locations soon. Our administration appreciates the partnership of the SBA and FEMA in helping Connecticut’s businesses and homeowners recover from this major storm."