GRAYSON COUNTY, TX -- Storm victims now have a little extra time to file for loans with the Grayson County Disaster Center. The deadline to apply for low-interest, long-term federal loans has been extended to February 16th.

Grayson County residents and business owners affected by the December 8th tornado and severe storms are eligible.

The U.S. Small Business Administration opened the office at the Grayson County Courthouse on Monday, and half a dozen victims applied for loans.

officials say it takes 10 to 14 days to process the loan applications. While those are being processed, inspectors will provide free damage estimates.

To find out more information on how you can apply for these loans, check the links at the bottom of this story.

From Monday...

GRAYSON COUNTY, Tex. ―After a tornado hit parts of Denison, and other strong storms ripped through Grayson County earlier this month, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, opened a disaster center to help those affected by the storms. Rashi Vats was at the Grayson County Courthouse for the opening Monday morning.

Victims of the storms and tornado that hit Texoma are eligible for low cost, long term federal loans, something only offered to areas after major disaster is declared.

It was a disaster that hit the homes and streets of Texoma, but also the hearts of its people. Just hours later, the county stepped in to help, and then the state.

Now the federal government is offering aid.

"We like to be on the spot as soon as we can. It does take the governor, the declaration, before we can do anything and then the agency to decide that it’s appropriate," Burl Kelton with the U.S. Small Business Administration says.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has also decided to help, opening a disaster center at the Grayson County Courthouse on Monday morning.

"It’s great because we get to help people that are really in need, and there are opportunities that folks that people don't think about a lot of times after they have been in a disaster," Kelton says.

SBA is partnering with local and state agencies to make loans available to those in need. The first step is to apply for the money.

"Basically, the loan is set up to cover the gap between the actual damages and a person’s recovery or business recovery from insurance or other grants," Kelton says.

Galen Ewton is one of the storm victims applying for aid today. Her house was destroyed completely when the storm hit.

"We had heard that the county had declared a disaster and that SBA was here for possible low interest loans to help us rebuild. When we rebuild, it might not be exactly what we had, but we'll be back up there somehow," storm victim Galen Ewton says.

The insurance company declared her home a total loss, but she says underneath all the devastation there is some good.

"It’s been humbling because of how many people and friends we have that have done so much and we are all okay and that’s all that matters," a teary Ewton said.

Organizations like SBA are ready to help.

"We look forward to helping folks recover from the disaster," says Kelton.

SBA says they will be open for the next couple of weeks. Businesses, homeowners, and renters are all eligible to apply if you would like more information on how to apply for assistance, check the links below.

Individuals and business owners unable to visit SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center may contact SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling toll-free (800) 659-2955 or by emailing SBA at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Hearing impaired individuals may call toll free (800) 877 8339 or visit SBA’s Web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Additionally, disaster victims may now go online to file an SBA application for disaster loan assistance. The Electronic Loan Application (ELA) is accessible via SBA’s secure Web site at http:// https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

On the Web:

Official Website of Grayson County