BARTOW — Because of a steady decrease in activity, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced it will close the Polk County Disaster Loan Outreach Center as of 7 p.m. Jan. 13.

The center opened following Hurricane Irma and is in the Brenneman Auditorium, 1702 U.S. 17 S in Bartow. Until the 13th, operating hours will be Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SBA representatives can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist in completing SBA applications. Although the recovery center will close, a customer service center will continue to be available by calling 800-659-2955 or for the deaf and hard-of-hearing at 800-877-8339 or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11.