Small Business Administration reaching out to Marietta businesses wanting to rebuild after tornado

MARIETTA, Okla. (KXII) – Businesses, non-profits, and residents in Marietta who lost buildings and things in the tornado last week can now get help from the Small Business Administration.

Public Information Officer Raenada Mason said they don’t just help businesses, they are also providing low-interest 30-year loans for renters and homeowners who need help rebuilding after the tornado.

Uninsured and under-insured victims of the tornado can find Small Business Administration customer service representatives at the Love County Library beginning Tuesday.

The SBA can also help victims meet their insurance’s deductible.

Meanwhile, volunteers at the Love County Fairgrounds are still busy giving out food and supplies at the drive-thorough donation line.

8-year-old Sutton and 4-year-old Lucy are helping others after the tornado.

“i just wanna help people,” Sutton said. “I’m unloading, I’m helping, I’m carrying water for them.”

Lucy recalled her experience with the storm.

“There was a tornado at Grammy’s, and no power, so that’s why we went in the cellar,” Lucy said.

Marietta Homeland assistant manager Christon Fore volunteered at the Fairgrounds donation line on Monday, saying she wanted to give back to the community she loves so much.

“I was given the week off and I decided to volunteer to help the community,” Fore said. “Giving out gorceries, house necessities, cleaning supplies, just anything anyone might need.”

Fore said she recently got confirmation that Homeland will be rebuilding the Marietta store.

She said it was a relief- calling Homeland’s impact on Marietta undeniable.

“Homeland is the only grocery store, and all of our customers are like family,” Fore said. “We look forward to seeing them when they come in the store, and we miss seeing them.”

She and the store’s other workers are working at nearby Homeland locations until the new grocery store is built in about 10 months.

“Whenever I go to work in Ardmore, I have to get on the interstate and drive by Homeland,” Fore said. “It’s really emotional seeing our store in shambles the way it is.”

Fore said the new store will be bigger and better than the previous building.

Mason said for small businesses who want to build back too, the SBA is ready to help them- even if paperwork was lost in the storm.

“You can’t foresee as far as how long it will take to recover, that’s why we want businesses to come by speak to us and see what assistance we have available,” Mason said. “For any renters, we can cover up to 100 thousand dollars, for any homeowners for repairs, replacement, rebuilding we can cover up to half a million dollars.”

The SBA gives out loans for residents and businesses to clean up after the disaster, as well as economic injury loans for businesses, so if the tornado made it impossible for a business to make money, the owner can keep the business open while rebuilding.

Uninsured and under-insured victims of the tornado can find Small Business Administration customer service representatives at the Love County Library beginning Tuesday.

The SBA can also help victims meet their insurance’s deductible.

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