LAPLACE — The U.S. Small Business Administration has operated a center in St. John the Baptist Parish for the past week to help residents and businesses impacted by the F1 tornado that came through the parish Feb. 23.

The Small Business Administration set up a disaster loan outreach center Monday at New Wine Church, located at 1929 West Airline Highway in LaPlace.

The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Since opening  Monday, the center has serviced more than 35 residents.

SBA public information officer Yolanda Stokes said these low-interest federal disaster loans are not just for businesses.

“We declared our own disaster declaration so that we can help people that were effected,” Stokes said. “Despite our name being Small Business Administration, we do provide loans, not only to business of all sizes, but we provide loans to homeowners, renters and private nonprofits.”

The low interest rate on a home loan, Stokes said, is 1.8 percent.

For a private non-profit, it’s 2.6 percent and 4 percent for all businesses.

“There can also be a maturity date or a term up to 30 years,” she said.

“With that low interest rate coupled with the term, we try to make the loan payment as affordable as we can for our disaster survivors.”

Homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to replace their primary residence, the physical structure and an additional $40,000 for content such as clothing, appliances and furniture.

For renters, Stokes said, they may be eligible for up to $40,000 to recover all of their personal items, including a vehicle if it was damaged as a result of the tornado.

Stokes said businesses could receive up to $2 million that can cover the physical structure, machinery and equipment, and help with working capital.

There is no appointment needed for the center.

“We provide face-to-face assistance, answer questions and actually summit their application right there on site,” Stokes said. “If someone isn’t able to make it down to the center, they can contact us at 800-659-2955; that’s our customer service number and we can mail an application to them.”

Another way to receive an application, Stokes said, is by clicking on the assistance relief link on sba.gov.

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is July 5 and the deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 6, 2017.

“We will be here for as long as we are needed,” Stokes said.