Resources available following spring tornado

CENTREVILLE – Resources are now available for St. Joseph County and residents in neighboring counties affected by the spring tornado.

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman and St. Joseph County Emergency Manager Erin Goff said the U.S. Small Business Administration issued a disaster declaration for the May 7 tornado event.

Small Business Administration resources include a variety of low-interest, long-term disaster loans. In addition, loans are available to residents in Cass and Branch counties, as well.

There is an in-person Disaster Loan Outreach Center set up at Portage City Hall in Kalamazoo County. It is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site in Portage will close permanently at 2 p.m. Friday.

To apply online or to receive additional disaster-assistance information, residents may visit sba.gov/disaster.

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

The deadline for filing an application is Sept. 6.