Local elected officials, Community Board 3 and the Lower East Side BID are planning an event on Friday morning to help small businesses impacted by Hurricane Sandy. There will be an opportunity to apply for FEMA relief and emergency loans. The Small Business Administration and the NYC Department of Small Business Services are also involved. The forum will be held from 9-11 a.m. at the Houston Street Center, located at 273 Bowery. U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez is sponsoring the event along with the BID, CB3, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, State Senator Dan Squadron, City Council member Margaret Chin and City Council member Rosie Mendez. More info here.