U.S. Small Business Association offering Disaster Loans to survivors impacted by the Borel Fire

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The U.S. Small Business administration has established a new Disaster Loan Outreach Center for people impacted by the Borel fire.

The Borel Fire broke out in July and burned nearly 60,000 acres, destroyed 29 structures and obliterated the town of Havilah.

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The Small Business Association is also offering loans to renters, homeowners, private nonprofit organizations, and businesses. The loans range from $100,000 to $2 million depending on the entity applying.

Public information officer for the U.S. Small Business Association, Javier Caltenco, spoke to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday. Caltenco talked about the the available loans and the mitigation funds of 20% to help with rebuilding efforts.

"In the case that they need to rebuild, they can rebuild to be more resilient to any other natural disasters. And this is 20 percent of any verifiable physical damages that they have," Caltenco said.

You can find the loan center in the Lake Isabella Senior Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though it is closed this Monday for Veterans Day.

The application deadline for property damages is Dec. 20, while the last day to report economic injuries is July 21, 2025.