Our people and small businesses are the strength of our community.

Please join Friends of Lafitte Greenway and the Greater Mid-City Business Association for a free webinar on U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans in response to COVID-19. As available, updates will also be shared on the congressional stimulus bill.

The webinar will be led by Michael Ricks, District Director SBA, Louisiana and Greenway Board Member. 

U.S. Small Business Administration

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS: 

Eligibility & Application Process Webinar

Wednesday, April 1, 11AM - 12PM

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. 

SBA Express Bridge Loans

Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses and nonprofits who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.

Find more information on the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans at: SBA.gov/Disaster.

Our Presenter: Michael Ricks

Mr. Michael Ricks has served as District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2004, first in Alabama and currently serving Louisiana since 2008.  Prior to joining the SBA, Mr. Ricks served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer, a Program Manager for Advanced Technology and Production Readiness projects for the U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, DC, and as a Defense Acquisition Officer in early Program Concept Development for the Army Infantry Center at Fort Benning, Georgia as Chief of the Information Systems Division. As an active duty and reserve infantry officer, Mr. Ricks completed numerous overseas combat and hazardous duty deployments. He was medically retired from active service and is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Mr. Ricks is a former small business entrepreneur and operated a consulting company in Florida which advised on software development, business processes, electronic manufacturing, and information systems technology. Mr. Ricks earned a bachelor’s degree in Technology from the University of Houston. He also holds a graduate degree in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterrey, California, as well as an MBA from Troy University in Alabama. Mr. Ricks was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, where much of his extended family still resides.