SBA Opens Spokane Fire Loan Center at Northtown Mall

Fire survivors can get in-person application help this week at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s new Northtown Mall center. The location will remain there through December’s end. Separately, Washington Emergency Management Department cash-grant applications close October 30. Households whose homes were destroyed or badly damaged may qualify for as much as $2,250 for five people.

Federal loans remain an option after the state deadline. Homeowners may seek up to $500,000 for rebuilding and another $100,000 for belongings such as vehicles or clothing. Assistance and recovery resources are also offered to renters, businesses and nonprofits.

Other recovery money is being held for both immediate and longer-term needs. Innovia Foundation has taken in $5 million for people affected by the Spokane Complex fires, distributing $160,000 so far while reserving most of the balance for needs including reconstruction. Spokane’s city-run fund, called “Home Starts Here,” totals $1.3 million. Of that, $63,000 funded grocery and gas gift cards. Another $600,000 is reserved for asbestos testing and remains unspent.