Deadline looming for SBA help for mill fire

BOSTON – Businesses, nonprofits and residents whose property was damaged by the Bernat Mill Complex fire in Uxbridge have until Sept. 21 to submit disaster loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Sixty-five organizations – including an antique shop, photo studio, art gallery, children’s museum, café and an industrial machine shop – were displaced by the July 21 fire. They may be eligible for low-interest loans of up to $1.5 million to repair damage to their real estate, machinery, equipment and inventory, the SBA said.
Economic injury loans also may be available to businesses directly or indirectly affected by the fire – such as a restaurant frequented by those working or shopping at the mill, which has lost customers since the fire – noted Kathy Cook of the SBA’s regional office in Boston. The deadline for such economic-injury applications is April 23.