Kean Highlights SBA Approval of I-80 Disaster Declaration and Upcoming Business Recovery Center

(April 5, 2025) Bernardsville, NJ - Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) issued the following statement after the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved New Jersey's disaster declaration request, making Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses impacted by the I-80 sinkhole-related closures. The Congressman also highlights the upcoming opening of the SBA's Business Recovery Center in Wharton, NJ, which will provide direct support to affected businesses.

"The SBA's rapid approval of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for small businesses economically impacted by the I-80 closure will provide meaningful relief for businesses in Morris County, as well as the adjacent counties," said Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. "Securing these federal resources took swift, coordinated action across federal, state, and local governments. I also want to call attention to the SBA's Business Recovery Center opening in Wharton on April 8, which will offer real-time and on-the-ground support for local businesses."

"President Trump and Administrator Loeffler have made getting our small businesses back up and running after a disaster the SBA's highest priority. SBA personnel are on the ground in New Jersey and opening our Business Recovery Center in Wharton on April 8. We are ready to assist those businesses and organizations economically impacted by the I-80 sinkholes," said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Matt Coleman, who oversees the federal agency's operations in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico & the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"SBA is strongly committed to providing assistance to not just those small businesses & private non-profit organizations economically impacted by the sinkholes along I-80 in Morris County, but to those that have been impacted in adjacent counties of Essex, Hunterdon, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren too," Coleman added.

Background:

On March 28th, Congressman Kean sent a letter to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urging him to submit an official disaster declaration request to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in response to the I-80 sinkhole-related road closures.

After subsequent submission, the SBA granted this request within one day, unlocking federal assistance opportunities for qualifying small businesses that have suffered substantial economic loss during the I-80 closure. Small businesses in Morris County, as well as in adjacent counties of Essex, Hunterdon, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren can apply HERE for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

From April 8 through April 22, SBA will operate a Business Recovery Center at the Wharton Municipal Building to assist businesses impacted by the I-80 sinkholes. The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, and on Saturdays from 10:00am to 2:00pm. For additional information on disaster assistance, please contact the SBA Customer Service Center Line at (800) 659-2955.

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