Greenville, S.C. – Supporting Local Businesses After Hurricane Helene
In a visit that was both heartfelt and informative, the head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Isabel Casillas Guzman, stepped into Greenville to witness firsthand the damage Hurricane Helene caused to small businesses in the area. Her first stop? The popular Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, where she met with co-owners Jac Oliver and Mary Walsh to discuss how the storm affected their livelihood.
The storm brought severe flooding, leaving the cafe’s coffee shop submerged under two and a half feet of water. “The seats of the picnic tables were submerged,” Oliver recalled, painting a vivid picture of the aftermath. The cafe struggled not only with flooding but also a power outage that lasted for three days. To make matters worse, their generator was stolen, forcing the team into a scramble. “We had to sell food as quickly as possible before it spoiled,” Walsh shared, highlighting the dire circumstances they faced in the wake of the hurricane.
Even in those tough moments, the community came together. “We threw away all of our perishables or sold them at a loss,” said Walsh. “But the community came out in full force and helped us clear our fridges out.” It’s heartwarming to see how people rally around each other in times of need.
Time for Recovery and New Support
During her Wednesday tour of the cafe, Guzman spoke directly to the business owners about how the SBA aims to help not just them, but the entire community. “Most people don’t realize that the SBA not only helps small businesses, but we help entire communities,” Guzman explained. “A small business can’t recover if their employees haven’t recovered or if their customers haven’t recovered.”
The SBA offers a variety of financial support options for not just businesses but also individuals affected by disasters. The loans available include low-interest Business Physical Disaster loans and Economic Injury Disaster loans. For qualifying businesses, these come with interest rates as low as 4% and terms up to 30 years, making it significantly easier to repay the loans over time. Plus, there’s a grace period built in—12 months of no interest and no payments, giving businesses crucial time to recover and rebuild.
Recent Statistics and Growing Support
Since the storm struck, approximately 52 small businesses in South Carolina have turned to the SBA for assistance. So far, they have issued more than $453,000 in loans, with over $3 million in loans already approved. To help facilitate this process, the SBA has opened disaster assistance offices in both Greenville and Lexington, allowing local business owners to apply for loans, ask questions, and access support right in their community.
A Word on Funding
While things seem to be moving positively in the community, President Biden has highlighted an important issue. He recently warned Congress that the SBA could run out of funds in just a few weeks if more money isn’t allocated. Guzman reassured everyone that “that doesn’t mean we won’t be on the ground.” I mean, how incredible is that? “We will still be here, either onsite to help businesses navigate, or available through phone and online resources.”
It’s vital for communities like Greenville to receive the funding they need to rebuild and thrive. “As soon as Congress funds additional dollars to the SBA,” Guzman said, “we’ll be able to write those checks.” The hope remains strong in Greenville, where businesses are banding together with community support, all while looking forward to a brighter and more stable future.
