In this episode of "Hub City Now with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.," the host interviewed Liliana Tschanett, Public Affairs Specialist, Field Operations Center - East Office of Disaster Recovery & Resilience (ODR&R), U.S. Small Business Administration, and Kim Keblish, Media Relations Specialist | Office of External Affairs.

The pair were on the show to talk about disaster assistance offered by SBA in Tennessee in your area after the natural disaster that occurred from March 31 – April 1, 2023.

The disaster declaration covers Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties in Tennessee, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Bedford, Chester, Clay, Coffee, Crockett, Davidson, Decatur, DeKalb, Fayette, Henderson, Hickman, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Madison, Marshall, Maury, Perry, Shelby, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Warren, Williamson and Wilson in Tennessee; Lauderdale, in Alabama; Crittenden and Mississippi in Arkansas; Allen and Monroe in Kentucky; and Alcorn, Benton, Tippah and Tishomingo in Mississippi.

What’s available:

Only Primary Counties, including Mobile in the declaration can apply for the following loans with SBA:

1.       Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible. Max. loan 2 million dollars.

2.       Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles. Residents that sustained physical damages need to register with FEMA first. Max. loan $200,000 for homeowners (primary residence) & $40,000 for personal property including renters.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 6, 2023.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

All businesses and private non-profit organizations qualifying in primary counties (including Tipton and Haywood) and contiguous counties (including Shelby (Memphis), Lauderdale and Fayette) may apply with SBA for EIDL without any proof of physical damages.

1.       Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period. Max. loan 2 million dollars.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is January 8, 2024.

SBA is operating since April 11, 2023 one Business Recovery Center to assist business owners and residents in filling out a disaster loan application and providing one-on-one help and program information. The center is operating as indicated below until further notice:

In this episode of Hub City Now, the host continues his interview with Greg Hammond, chief public information officer for the Jackson-Madison County School System.

Hammond spoke about how his journey from sport anchor and reporter for WBBJ, to his 12 years as a broadcasting teacher at his alma mater South Side High School, running for office, running a production company, making a documentary and being chosen for his current position.

Hammond talked about why parents should enroll their children into the Jackson-Madison County School System, the 10 reasons to choose the school system, the workforce development center, E-Sports and the school system's upcoming job fair at the Oman Arena.

The school system, which is Jackson, Tenn.'s second largest employer, is recruiting talent for all departments and positions in preparation for the 2022-2023 school year. Join the school system Tuesday, March 22, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oman Arena, located at  179 Lane Ave., in Jackson, Tenn., for the JMCSS Career Fair. JMCSS has employment opportunities for teachers, skilled maintenance, bus drivers, food service and more. You can earn competitive pay and enjoy a flexible schedule in one of West Tennessee's most affordable communities. For more information or to begin the application process, log on to jmcss.org and click on Join Our Team.

If you have any questions or comments for the school system, email comments@jmcss.org.