Aid available for small businesses in WA that depend on farms and ranches

Release Date: December 3, 2009
Media Contact: Richard Jenkins
Phone: (916) 735-1500
Release Number: WA 11957-01
Disaster Assistance Available for Small Businesses

Sacramento, CA – Small, non-farm businesses in 18 Washington counties are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by a drought that occurred in the following primary Washington counties beginning January 1, 2009,” announced Alfred E. Judd, Director of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center West.

Small businesses in the following primary and neighboring counties may apply for working capital loans to offset economic losses that are attributable to the disasters.

Primary Washington counties: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Lincoln, Okanogan

Neighboring Washington counties: Adams, Benton, Franklin, King, Kittitas, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Whatcom, Whitman and Yakima

“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 working capital 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 restricted to small businesses without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Judd added.

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. However, in drought disasters nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance.

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 July 26, 2010.

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

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