Disaster Assistance Available for Small Businesses

Sacramento, CA – Small, non-farm businesses in 11 Washington counties are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of record low temperatures and freezing conditions that occurred in the following primary counties from October 10, 2009 through October 13, 2009,” announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center ‑ West.

Primary Washington counties: Chelan, Douglas and Okanogan;
Neighboring Washington counties: Ferry, Grant, King, Kittitas, Lincoln, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom

“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Judd said.

Small, non-farm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and most private, non-profit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.

“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4%, a maximum term of 30 years, and are available to small businesses and most private, non-profits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Judd said.

By law, SBA makes EIDLs available when the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. Secretary Tom Vilsack declared this disaster at the request of Governor Christine Gregoire.

Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency (FSA) about the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration.

Information and application forms are available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659‑2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Hearing impaired individuals may call (800) 877‑8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

The deadline to apply for these loans is February 15, 2011.

For more information, visit SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

SBA Field Operations Center - West, P.O. Box 419004, Sacramento, CA 95841

Release Date: June 22, 2010            Media Contact: Richard Jenkins

Release Number: WA 12209-01     Phone: (916) 735-1500