SBA loans approved for Louisiana businesses impacted by Bourbon Street attack

(The Center Square) — Gov. Jeff Landry announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration to assist businesses impacted by the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street.Landry is also asking President Joe Biden, who’ll be visiting the Pelican State on Monday, for a presidential disaster declaration. In a letter, the first-term Republican governor is requesting financial assistance for “necessary protective measures” and care for survivors. The declaration makes SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans available in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany parishes. The loans are available through Oct. 3.”Louisiana, especially New Orleans, thrives off local businesses unique to the area. This declaration is crucial to ensuring those affected by the horrific New Year’s Day attack get the help they need to return to business,” Landry said in a news release.The declaration comes after Shamsud-Din Jabbar drove a Ford F-150 Lightning truck around parked police vehicles in the French Quarter, killing 14 and injuring 35.Jabbar, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in social media videos before the attack and flew an ISIS flag on the rented truck, was killed in a shootout with law enforcement.FBI investigators revealed Jabbar had conducted surveillance of the French Quarter in October and November 2024, using high-tech recording glasses during his visits. On New Year’s Eve, he returned to New Orleans, placed improvised explosive devices on Bourbon Street — none of which detonated — and carried out the attack.The SBA loans aim to support affected businesses as New Orleans works to recover.