A representative of the Small Business Administration said he wants to dispel some misinformation that's traveling through the community.

Representatives from the administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency remain in Northwest Indiana responding to victims of the September floods.

Wiley Messick, a Small Business Administration spokesman, said renters, along with homeowners and business owners, are eligible for loans from the agency. He said renters can apply for up to $40,000 for uninsured personal property losses.

Messick said there are no longer lines at the disaster recovery centers in Gary and Munster.

"It is now rare that anyone has to wait at all to be interviewed and assisted at any Northwest Indiana Disaster Recovery Centers, although there were long lines in the first week the Lake County centers were open," he said.

It's true that most people want a grant, not a loan, but Messick said additional grants now are available, provided the flood victim has prepared and submitted an administration loan application that has been declined.

Messick and FEMA representatives continue to encourage homeowners to apply through FEMA first, and be sure to complete the Small Business Administration application they will receive. He said the information required for an administration's application is about the same as a resident would need to apply for a car loan.

Across the state, Messick said 147 home loans and two business loans have been approved for a total of $7,232.900.

Two new Small Business Administration offices will be opened in Merrillville and LaPorte on Monday. Both business and home loan applicants may be assisted at those locations but there will be no FEMA grant assistance available at the new offices.

The Merrillville office will be at the Merrillville Municipal Building, 7820 Broadway. Both offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 1 only.