By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE U.S. Small Business Administration announced that its two Business Recovery Centers on Saipan will be temporarily closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the Independence Day/Liberation Day holiday.
The centers are scheduled to resume normal operations on Monday. The temporary closure affects the Business Recovery Center at Marianas Business Plaza in Susupe and the center housed at the One-Stop Business Permitting Center within the Department of Commerce on Capital Hill.
According to SBA public affairs specialist Raenada Mason, the temporary closure will not affect the agency’s ability to receive disaster loan applications online, and assistance will remain available to survivors. Mason said the SBA has approved 1,309 disaster loans totaling approximately $26.8 million for homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits in the Commonwealth.
Despite the holiday closure, residents, businesses, and private nonprofit organizations can continue submitting disaster loan applications online through the SBA’s disaster assistance portal. The agency said disaster recovery assistance remains available for individuals and organizations affected by the federally declared disaster in the Commonwealth.
According to SBA figures, homeowners account for the largest share of approved assistance, receiving 1,066 approved loans totaling $25.52 million. Businesses have received 217 approved loans worth approximately $995,200, while Economic Injury Disaster Loans account for 26 approved loans totaling about $287,800.
Overall, the SBA reported approving 1,309 disaster loans totaling $26.8 million.
Although the deadline to apply for physical property damage assistance expired on June 22, the SBA said it is allowing a 60-day grace period for late applications. The grace period will remain in effect through Aug. 21. The deadline to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is Jan. 25, 2027.
Applicants seeking assistance during the holiday closure may submit applications online through the SBA’s disaster assistance website or contact the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 for additional information.
The Business Recovery Centers have served as a key resource for disaster survivors by providing one-on-one assistance with loan applications and other recovery services following the recent impacts of Super Typhoon Sinlaku in the Northern Mariana Islands.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
