SBA Will Open Business Recovery Center in Hilo

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today the opening of a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Hawaii County to assist businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, and residents affected by the Downtown Hilo Fire occurring Nov. 30, 2025.

Beginning Tuesday, April 21, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center in Hilo to answer questions and assist with the disaster loan application process. Walk-ins are welcome but in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

The center's hours of operation are as follows:

HAWAII COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
Hawaii County Office of Aging
1055 Kinoole St., Ste. 101
Conference Room
Hilo, HI 96720

Opens on Tuesday, April 21 at noon.

Mondays - Fridays, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

"SBA's Business Recovery Centers have consistently proven their value to business owners following a disaster," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "Business owners can visit these centers to meet face to face with specialists who will guide them through the disaster loan application process and connect them with resources to support their recovery."

The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs - including faith-based organizations - with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 4, 2027.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit https://www.sba.gov.