SAIPAN — The U.S. Small Business Administration has issued a rural disaster declaration for Saipan and Tinian following damage from Super Typhoon Bavi, opening federal disaster assistance to eligible residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations on both islands, the Office of the Governor announced.
The declaration covers damage from the storm’s July 4 to 12 passage. Rota is already covered under DR-4931, the presidential disaster declaration for Bavi, and the new declaration extends SBA assistance to Saipan and Tinian.
Under the declaration, homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 for real estate damage plus $100,000 for personal property. Businesses can seek physical disaster loans of up to $2 million, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available for entities suffering economic injury from the disaster.
The deadline for physical damage applications is Oct. 13, 2026. Economic injury applications are due by May 14, 2027.
The declaration follows Friday’s announcement on Good Morning Marianas by SBA public affairs specialists Raenada Mason and Corey Williams that the CNMI’s request had been received with approval expected within days. Williams said Friday that interest rates run 2.875 percent for homeowners, 4 percent for businesses and 3.625 percent for nonprofits, with no payments and no interest accrual for the first year, and that declined applicants have up to six months to seek reconsideration.
Residents and businesses can apply at lending.sba.gov through the MySBA Loan Portal, or get help at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955. In-person help is available at the Survivor Recovery Center on Saipan, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Business Recovery Centers on Saipan, and at the Rota Survivor Recovery Center opening Monday at the Sinapalo Youth Center.
The deadline for Sinlaku physical damage applications remains Friday, Aug. 21.
