South Georgia businesses elibible for SBA disaster loans

<p>Small, non-farm businesses that are dependent on agriculture in eight south Georgia counties are eligible for federal loans of up to $1.5 million because of weather-related losses earlier this year, the Small Business Administration said Thursday.</p><p>Eligible businesses are those that provide goods or services to agricultural producers and are unable to meet expenses because of the reduced purchasing power of farmers and ranchers affected by drought and strong winds on March 1, the agency said.</p><p>The announcement follows a similar disaster declaration for farmers made by the Secretary of Agriculture, said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA field operations in the area.</p><p>The Georgia counties included _ Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Decatur, Echols, Grady, Seminole and Ware _ are eligible because they are contiguous to primary counties in Florida that are covered by the disaster declaration, Skaggs said.</p><p>"SBA recognizes that disasters do not usually stop at the county or state lines," he said.</p><p>Examples of eligible businesses include farm implement dealers, seed and feed stores, spraying and irrigation.</p><p>The loans are available at 4 percent interest with terms up to 30 years, the SBA said.</p>