Defend America keeps a handy link on their website:
Includes links to the military relief societies, care package info, etc. (in case FR's 'archives' are ever (temporarily) unavailable. *g*)
Posted on 12/31/2003 7:51:21 AM PST by Calpernia
Overseas deployments are always tough on families. Naturally, the initial focus falls upon the emotional cost of separation. But, for Guardsmen and reservists who own small businesses, the cost involved in a deployment takes on a whole new meaning.
For the past two years, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has provided loans to eligible small businesses to cover operating costs that can't be met after a key employee is called to active duty in the reserves or National Guard.
Often the "key employee" is the business owner, whose family left behind depends on the income generated from the company.
When Rick Parsons, an officer with the 401st Civil Affairs Battalion from Churchville, N.Y., who deployed last year to Afghanistan, his veterinary practice took a major hit. Parsons and his wife, Marla, ran the hospital, with Parsons serving as its only veterinarian responsible for performing all surgeries, exams and emergency treatments at the hospital.
"During the year prior to Rick's deployment, we tried to hire a full-time vet," said Marla.
When Parson received his deployment orders, the search became even tougher. "People were hesitant to work as the sole vet in a small practice," she said. Finding a full-time vet was next to impossible. As a result, the Parsons hired part-time veterinarians, but the business ultimately suffered.
When Parsons realized that he could be on active duty for more than a year, he applied for assistance through the Small Business Administration's loan program.
"Many small businesses have had to cope with the loss of know-how, and have been hurt financially by the absence of a key employee during the recent call-ups," said Small Business Administration administrator Hector V. Barreto.
"This loan program has helped many businesses survive, and the SBA will continue to support these dedicated men and women who have made such a great sacrifice in the course of serving their country."
Small businesses like the Churchville Veterinary Hospital may apply for Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $1.5 million if they have been financially affected by the loss of an essential employee. These working capital loans may be used to pay operating expenses that otherwise could have been covered if the reservist or Guardsman hadn't been called to active duty. The loans cannot be used to refinance debt or expand the business, and the Small Business Administration determines the amount of economic injury.
The filing period for the loans ends 90 days after the date the business owner or key employee is discharged from active duty. Now that Parsons has returned home from active duty, his wife said their business is still in a crunch because, as with any loan, the money has to be paid back.
To pay back the loan, the Parsons hired a full-time veterinarian to run their practice while Parsons took a job at a local university.
But Marla Parsons said the loan program provided some vital financial assistance when she and her husband needed it. "We probably would have lost the practice if (the SBA) hadn't lent us the money," she said.
(Staff Sgt. Michelle Thomas is assigned to the Florida Air National Guard.)
For the past two years, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan program has provided loans to eligible small businesses to cover operating costs that can't be met after a key employee is called to active duty in the reserves or National Guard.
Often the "key employee" is the business owner, whose family left behind depends on the income generated from the company.
Defend America keeps a handy link on their website:
Includes links to the military relief societies, care package info, etc. (in case FR's 'archives' are ever (temporarily) unavailable. *g*)
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