Representatives housed in Tax Assesors Office
The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a disaster declaration for Brantley County following a request from Deputy Director of Recovery Valarie Grooms.
Grooms’ decision, issued May 26, could be seen as the federal government finally extending victims a lifeline. Two days later (Thursday, May 28), SBA announced it will be offering low-interest federal disaster loans to fire victims.
Representatives will explain the application process and help individuals complete applications inside the Brantley County Courthouse in the Tax Assessors office.
“I encourage everyone impacted to visit the Disaster Loan Outreach Center and apply for assistance,” said GEMA/HS Director Josh Lamb. “Individuals affected by these wildfires don’t have to walk through this process alone.”
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application by visiting the SBA’s website at https://lending. sba.gov. Contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at [email protected] or by phone at (800) 659-2955 for further assistance.
Administrator Kelly Loeffler toured the fire destruction May 15 and voiced voiced her and the government’s commitment to Brantley County for disaster recovery assistance.
“The reason we’re here is the SBA is the government’s largest federal disaster recovery agency,” Loeffler said during the visit. “We’re not a response agency, we work on recovery, so we’re here to listen and assess the situation.”
Loeffler went on to explain the SBA’s role in recovery. For businesses, loans can be up to $2 million; $500,000 for homeowners; and $100,000 for renters.
Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the SBA, explained the process. Following the completion of damage assessments, the governor’s office will file a request for aid and funds from the federal government, which will come from departments like FEMA and the SBA. These organizations will then set up disaster loan outreach centers.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Stallings.
The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers except for small aquaculture enterprises.
The SBA renders aid in the form of long-term, low-interest rate loans, offered to businesses, homeowners and renters.
SBA officials are now available at the Brantley County Tax Assessors Office, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a tentative closing date of Thursday, June 18.
Georgia residents impacted by the April wildfires may be eligible for up to $1,000 of housingrelated assistance through a partnership between Georgia Realtors and the Realtors Relief Foundation.
Applications for assistance must be submitted by midnight on July 15, 2026. To qualify, applicants must reside in one of the counties included in Gov. Brian Kemp’s April 22 disaster declaration for public assistance, including Brantley, Glynn and Clinch counties.
Assistance is for housing relief only. Other expenses including second mortgages (home equity lines or loans), clothing, appliances, equipment, vehicle purchase, rental or repair, and or mileage are ineligible for reimbursement under this program.
Applicants must provide a driver’s license or other governmental documentation to prove residency in an eligible county. Assistance is available to qualified applicants towards monthly mortgage expenses, hotel reimbursement or rental cost due to displacement, with documentation required.
One of the following is required to show proof of damage to your primary residence:
• Photos of damages.
• Insurance estimate.
• Copies of written claims, settlement proceeds or claim status reports.
• Copies of repair estimates from contractors.
The Highway 82 fire in Brantley County that began in April destroyed nearly 200 homes and businesses.
A parched and scorching south Georgia has received much-needed relief in recent weeks, with cloudy skies delivering rain and thunderstorms.
The drought conditions that plagued the area were a huge contributing factor to one of the worst wildfires in state history here in Brantley County.
With the Brantley County fire now largely under control, holding at 90 percent containment due to reburns, the mopup operations authority has been transferred from the Georgia Forestry Commission back to the local county level.
As for county government efforts, County Manager Joey Cason stated its Long Term Recovery group “is near completion concerning a wide variety of citizens who are going to serve.”
He stated the group should be ready this week.
Also meeting this week will be the Financial Oversight Committee, organized through Family Connection.
As for local donations, Cason said, “We should have a 10,000 square foot building built by the middle of June that will become the local distribution point for items going forward.”
