With many small businesses still struggling after Super Typhoon Sinlaku shuttered offices, cut utilities, and disrupted revenue across the CNMI, the U.S. Small Business Administration is urging business owners, nonprofits, and independent contractors to apply for federal disaster assistance.
SBA Public Affairs Specialist Raenada Mason said many operators may not realize they qualify for SBA loans—especially those who did not suffer physical damage but lost income due to prolonged closures following the storm. She noted that the SBA’s definition of a small business is broad and includes sole proprietors, gig workers, barbers, home‑based operators, and other individuals who rely on self‑employment for income.
“An independent contractor can apply for a business loan… whether you are a lawn care service, you do hair, or you’re a taxi service,” Mason said. “You can apply for this assistance because you are considered a small business.”
Mason emphasized that Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) are available even to businesses that did not sustain physical damage but experienced significant loss of revenue due to Sinlaku’s aftermath. Many businesses were forced to close for days or weeks because of power outages, water shortages, or limited access to their buildings, and those disruptions qualify as economic injury.
Applicants can seek assistance at two locations. The new SBA Business Recovery Center at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is designed specifically for businesses and nonprofits that need one‑on‑one support. Mason said the Chamber site offers a quieter, more focused environment for business owners who may not have time to wait in long lines. The Survivor Recovery Center in Susupe remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and continues to assist both individuals and businesses. Walk‑ins are accepted at both locations.
“We wanted to make sure there’s an opportunity for them to come in and seek assistance… whether it’s application submission, questions, or additional help,” Mason said.
Some businesses are encountering challenges with documentation, particularly those whose tax filings, financial statements, or business structures changed before the storm. Mason said SBA staff can help applicants prepare or update required documents, and the Small Business Development Center is available for more complex business‑structure questions. “Some of the challenges… is just like their paperwork, right? Making sure their paperwork is in order,” she said.
SBA disaster loans offer long‑term, affordable financing intended specifically for disaster recovery. Loan terms extend up to 30 years, and borrowers receive a one‑year payment deferral with no interest accruing during that period. Unsecured loans are available up to $50,000, and borrowers may request increases for up to two years after signing their loan agreement. Mason said these terms are designed to help businesses regain stability after a disaster as severe as Sinlaku.
