Cookson Area Tornado Victims Getting Financial Help From SBA

The Small Business Administration is in Cookson, helping people apply for loans nearly one month after a tornado ripped through several counties in Green Country.

Destroyed mobile homes and uprooted trees look as if they’re becoming a new normal in Cookson, so the disaster assistance sign outside the fire department comes as a relief to many.

SBA In Cookson This Week Helping Tornado Victims 

“Well, it makes you feel better. Makes you have a little hope,” Cookson resident Jim Whitener said.

Whitener lost his mobile home to the twister. He had it for about 22 years.

“Had a lot of good memories,” Whitener said. “Brought my boys up and raised them up there.”

He said thanks to a friend, he has a place to stay down the road.

Cookson Fire Chief Says Community Will Overcome Tornado Damage 

“I’ve been real fortunate because a lot of people don’t have a place to go,” he said.

The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans beyond Cherokee County. Tornado victims in Adair, Delaware, Mayes, Muskogee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties can also apply.

Residents Of Cookson Cleaning Up After Tornado 

“We’re here not only to help out businesses of all sizes but homeowners, renters, and non-profits,” SBA spokesman Corey Williams said.

The SBA will be at the Cookson Fire Department from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, through January 10th.

Employees won’t be available on New Year’s Day, but it will mark a fresh start for many.

“Time to clean up stuff you hadn’t thrown away in years,” Whitener said. “That’s the way I look at it. Just start over, that’s all you can do.”

The final deadline to apply for a loan is February 19th.

If you can’t make it to Cookson, you can call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. You can also apply online by clicking here.