The small business administration was on hand today at a makeshift disaster center in Coalport. Staff members were inside the Glendale Area public library to answer question and assist residents with loan applications. 

Back in July, massive floodwaters swept through Coalport and surrounding Clearfield County areas. 

Now, homeowners and businesses are able to receive loans to repair their properties devastated by flooding.

However, these are not grants. The applicant will have to pay the money back with a very low interest rate. The county hopes this will provide residents the assistance needed to get back on their feet. 

It’s something county emergency officials say they’ve been working tirelessly to achieve. “People have taken their time to cleanup, and now whatever kind of cost they had or business they’ve lost they can kind of reimburse or recoup some of those expenses by taking advantage of these loans,” explains Dan Spencer, Deputy director of Clearfield Emergency Services. 

Among those applying are Alice and Dennis Bungo. They say their home here on main street in Coalport was hit hard. “There was like 4 feet of water in our basement,” says Dennis. 

This isn’t the first flood for the couple. Alice saying water is a constant battle, “anytime you call for 3 to 4 inches of water I’m paranoid.”

“You get something fixed up and then you start all over any time a flood comes,” adds Dennis. 

Inside their home, water still sits in the basement. While outside, their back yard resembles more of a swamp.  They say it’s all coming from drainage issues and a creek that runs next to their property. 

The couple says they’re grateful the state has granted the loan program to help replace the damages. However, they wish the town was able to assist more. “They’re saying they don’t have funding for it, so it’s like live with it,’ explains Alice. 

Disasters are tough for any town- especially small boroughs like Coalport, explains County Commissioner, John Sobel “Coalport’s one of those communities that struggling to reinvent itself and redefine itself so that’s the last thing they needed” Which is why the state has stepped in to help. 

There’s multiple loan options available and you can apply in person or online. The group advises residents who are unsure of the criteria, to visit the Coalport disaster office. It is located in the Glendale Area public library and will be open through next Thursday. The deadline for applications regarding physical damage is October 23rd. Meanwhile, businesses may apply for economic injury compensation through May 23, 2018. 

For more information, contact SBA’s Disaster Customer Service center by calling (800) 659-2955, through their email, or visiting the SBA website.