(Saipan, MP) Following President Donald J. Trump’s Presidential disaster declaration issued on August 4, 2026, post-Super Typhoon Bavi, the CNMI Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network hosted by the Northern Marianas College, announces its partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration to host Real Talk with SBA, a live Q&A virtual webinar, for clients seeking information or who have questions related to SBA’s disaster loan programs available to assist business owners with recovery expenses and mitigation costs to ensure businesses build back resilient.
Webinar Details
Event: Real Talk with SBA, A Live Disaster Loan Q&A Virtual Session with the SBA and the CNMI SBDC
Who May Attend: CNMI SBDC Clients; anyone who is NOT a client, may contact the CNMI SBDC and be assisted with the simple, no-cost registration process
When: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Registration Link: https://marianas.ecenterdirect.com/events/1019209
Where: *Once registered, the SBDC will issue the Zoom link to attend the virtual webinar
Attendance will be at no-cost; however, registration requires that attendees be a client of the SBDC. Clients may register online through accessing the SBDC website at www.cnmisbdc.com or by calling (670) 237-9206 for over-the-phone assistance. Clients on the islands of Rota, Saipan and Tinian are invited to attend.
This past June, following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the SBDC partnered with the SBA to conduct a four-part Disaster Loan and Business Recovery & Resilience Workshop series that covered EIDL and PDL eligibility requirements, the documentation processes, and building back resilient. Chona Soriano, owner of NOYPI Best Carwash, shared her experience, “Through attending the SBA workshops hosted by SBDC, I gained great knowledge and found it very helpful for beginners like me. The workshop was full of information I never would have known had I not attended the training. Thank you to the SBDC for connecting us with SBA to assist with ideas on how I can properly submit my application for consideration.”
Nadine Deleon Guerrero Kintol, Network Director of the CNMI SBDC encourages all those interested in learning more to attend, “The Q&A virtual session is designed to equip business owners with clear, actionable information they can use immediately when facing disaster-related losses. Take advantage of this direct access to technical assistance and info-sharing to learn more about availing of low-interest rate loans to secure property for future disasters. Now is the time to implement mitigation projects to protect your businesses.”
SBA Disaster Loan Eligibility Requirements
Following President Donald J. Trump’s Presidential Disaster Declarations #21743 and #21744, the SBA continues to have a presence on all three islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota. In response to the disaster declarations, SBA announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to the Commonwealth’s businesses, private non-profit organizations, and residents affected by Super Typhoon Bavi occurring July 4-12.
The declaration covers Rota, which is eligible for both PDLs and EIDLs. In Saipan and Tinian, small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply only for EIDLs. Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private non-profits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
“Through a presidential declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.”
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Follow Us
The CNMI SBDC Network encourages business owners to stay abreast of upcoming SBDC events and opportunities by following us on our social media pages on Instagram @cnmisbdc or Facebook @CNMISmallBusinessDevelopmentCenterNetwork or by visiting their website at www.cnmisbdc.com for upcoming webinars and/or in-person training events.
