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 with Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.,” the host spoke to Mehr Mansuri, Nancy Ewing and Sue St. Clair.

Mansuri, St. Clair and Ewing spoke about The Kids with a Cause: Children’s Theatre Company's full musical showcase featuring musical highlights of The Lorax (about trees and habitat) and Rescue Me: A Musical History of Women, will be presented by children and youth of Jackson at the NED Cultural Arts Center, Saturday, March 30th at 7 p.m., free charge; and a community service project at the ComeUnity Cafe Garden next door to the NED. Thr showcase is in celebration of Earth Day and Women’s History Month.

“Our goal is to showcase the children and youth of Jackson as the voices of positive change and agents of healing in their communities,” said Eric Dozier, Music Director/ Director of Equity & Outreach of Children’s Theatre Company.

In honor of Earth Day, the evening will feature highlights from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax  adapted by Lory Lazarus and Frank Sanchez and directed by award-winning Jackson choreographer, Veronica Sesson. Also being celebrated is Women’s History Month with highlights of the hit show, Rescue Me: A Musical History of Women by Dorothy Marcic.

Rescue Me is a review of the lyrics and music of the Top 40 songs by women from the blues to disco.  Nadia Beard, the NED resident director and choreographer, will be directing. “While bringing generations together, children, parents and their grandparents will relish the music, tap their feet and dance in their seats,” said Nadia Beard.

“My heart has been touched by the mission and performances of this unique theater company featuring kids reciting some of the wisest words ever uttered that is all the more stirring when proclaimed by young voices. I urge everyone to come and take part and fill the house and your heart at the NED!” said Matt Marshall, President of United Way of West Tennessee.

We are so grateful to Mayor Conger and our national partners, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wayfarer Foundation, and the Baha’i Office of Education & Schools, and our amazing local partners, including, AKA Sorority, Keep Jackson Beautiful; the NAACP; United Way of West TN and the Society of African American Cultural Awareness – SAACA, Historic First Baptist Church,” said Mehr Mansuri, Executive Artistic Director.