Island Businesses: Report Major Economic Impacts due to I-5 Bridge Closure

From Brendan Cowan
San Juan County Emergency Management Director

At the request of the WA Governor’s office, [see previous story orcasissues.com/gov-taps-fund-for-bridge-affected-businesses] any island business who feels [it has] suffered impacts to [its] revenue as a result of the May 23rd failure of the Skagit River I-5 bridge are asked to report their damages using the form found at: emd.wa.gov/EconomicInjuryWorksheet

This form is the first step in securing Small Business Administration (SBA) low interest loans for affected businesses. Filling out the form does not commit the business owner to participate.

Completed form should be returned in one of the following ways:

1. Scanned & emailed to dem@sanjuandem.net

2. Faxed to 360-378-7125, attn: Emergency Management

3. Mailed to SJC DEM, PO Box 669, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

4. Dropped off in person at Sheriff’s Office, 96 N. 2nd Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Details:

-In general, the SBA support is for businesses that have impacts so severe they are looking at laying off staff, are unable to make monthly rent or mortgage payments, or are otherwise experiencing very significant financial strain.

-SBA support comes in the form of low-interest loans. While the support can be useful for many, it is not a solution that works for all businesses in all situations. In some cases, due to currently low interest rates, commercial bank financing may be comparable to SBA support.